The simplest way to add a line

Open your document in Microsoft Word and click where you want the line to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top of the screen, then click Shapes. A menu will open showing different shape options. Click the straight line icon — it looks like a diagonal line and is usually near the top left of the shapes menu. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw the line where you want it, then release.

The line will appear with small circles at each end. You can drag these circles to move or resize the line. If you want to delete it, click the line once to select it and press Delete.

This method works the same way in Word on Windows, Mac, and the web version. The line you create this way is a drawing object, which means you can move it around freely and it will not push your text around the way a paragraph break would.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert menu has a Shapes option that includes a straight line tool you can draw directly onto your document.
  • Lines created through Shapes are drawing objects that float over your text rather than becoming part of the text flow.
  • You can resize a line by dragging the circles at its ends, and delete it by selecting it and pressing Delete.
  • If you want a line that sits between paragraphs as part of the text itself, use the Borders option under the Home tab instead.
  • Horizontal lines created through Borders will move with your text if you add or remove content above them.

Using borders for lines that move with your text

If you want a line that stays attached to a specific paragraph and moves when you edit your document, use the Borders feature instead. Click at the end of the paragraph where you want the line to appear. Go to the Home tab, then find the Borders button — it looks like a small square with lines around it. Click the small arrow next to it to open a menu.

Select Borders and Shading from the menu. A dialog box will open. Under the Presets section, click the icon that shows a line at the bottom only. This will place a horizontal line under that paragraph. Click OK to explore it.

The advantage of this method is that the line is tied to the paragraph, so if you move the paragraph or add text above it, the line moves too. With the Shapes method, the line stays in the same spot on the page.

Changing the thickness and color of your line

If you drew your line using Shapes, click it once to select it. Right-click and choose Format Shape. A panel will open on the right side. Look for Line options. You can change the color by clicking the color box, and you can change the thickness by adjusting the width number — higher numbers make thicker lines.

If you created your line using Borders, click at the end of the paragraph with the line. Go to Home, click the arrow next to Borders, and select Borders and Shading again. Click the Options tab. You can change the line style (solid, dotted, dashed) and the color. The width option here controls thickness. Make your changes and click OK.

Adding multiple lines or decorative patterns

Word's Shapes menu includes more than just straight lines. You can add double lines, wavy lines, or arrows by clicking Shapes and choosing from the line options. Some lines have special endpoints — for example, you can add a line with an arrow at the end by selecting the arrow option instead of the plain line.

If you want to add a line across the entire page as a divider, the Borders method is usually faster. You can also create a line by typing three hyphens (---) and pressing Enter — Word will automatically convert this into a thin horizontal line. This works for a quick divider but gives you less control over appearance.

Positioning lines precisely

When you draw a line with Shapes, it may not be perfectly straight or in the exact spot you want. Click the line to select it. Hold Shift and use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move it one pixel at a time. This gives you fine control over placement.

If you need the line to be perfectly horizontal or vertical, hold Shift while you drag to draw it. This constrains the line to 45-degree angles, making it easier to create straight lines without wobbling.

For lines created with Borders, you cannot move them freely — they are always attached to their paragraph. If you need the line in a different location, delete it from that paragraph and add it to a different one instead.

Removing lines you no longer need

To delete a line created with Shapes, click it once and press Delete. The line will disappear and your text will not shift.

To remove a line created with Borders, click at the end of the paragraph that has the line. Go to Home, click the arrow next to Borders, and select Borders and Shading. Under Presets, click the first icon (the empty box with no lines). This removes all borders from that paragraph. Click OK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a line that spans the entire width of the page?

Yes. The easiest way is to use Borders — click at the end of any paragraph, go to Home, click Borders, select Borders and Shading, and choose a bottom border. The line will stretch the full width of your text area. If you use Shapes, you will need to drag the line manually to make it as wide as you want.

Why does my line disappear when I scroll or edit my document?

Lines created with Shapes sometimes appear to move or vanish if your view changes. Click View at the top and make sure you are in Print Layout view, not Web Layout or Outline view. The line is still there — it just may not display in other views.

Can I make a vertical line down the side of my page?

Yes, using Shapes. Go to Insert, click Shapes, select the straight line, and draw it vertically along the left or right edge of your page. Hold Shift while dragging to keep it perfectly straight. You can resize it by dragging the circles at the top and bottom.

What is the difference between a line and an underline?

An underline is formatting applied to text itself — you select text and press Ctrl+U (or Cmd+U on Mac) to underline it. A line is a separate object or border that exists independently of text. Lines are better for dividing sections, while underlines are better for emphasizing specific words or phrases.

Can I copy a line I created and paste it elsewhere in my document?

Yes, if you used Shapes. Click the line to select it, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy, then click where you want it and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac) to paste. The new line will have the same color, thickness, and style as the original.