The simplest way: use the underscore key
The fastest way to add a line in Word is to type a series of underscores and press Enter. Hold Shift and tap the underscore key (_) as many times as you need to span the width you want, then press Enter. The line appears on its own line in your document.
This method works because Word treats underscores as regular text characters. The line sits where you typed it and moves if you add or delete text above it. It is useful for short forms, signature lines, or filling space on a page, but it does not align automatically to margins or adjust if you change your page width.
Key Takeaways
- Typing underscores and pressing Enter creates a visible line that works for forms and signature spaces, but does not adjust automatically if you change margins or page size.
- The Borders tool under the Home tab lets you draw lines under paragraphs, above them, or around entire blocks of text, and these lines move with the text.
- A table with invisible borders gives you precise control over line placement and length, and is the best choice for formal forms or documents with many lines.
- Horizontal rules inserted from the Insert menu create full-width lines that span the entire page width and are harder to edit once placed.
- Lines created with borders or tables stay attached to their text, so they move together if you edit the document.
Using borders to add lines under text
The Borders tool gives you more control than underscores. Click the Home tab, then find the Borders button (it looks like a small square with lines around it). Click the dropdown arrow next to it and choose "Borders and Shading."
In the dialog box that opens, you can place a line below a paragraph, above it, or on all four sides. Select the position you want, then click OK. The line attaches to that paragraph, so if you move or delete the text, the line moves with it. This is useful for headings, section breaks, or creating a line under a title that should stay connected to the title no matter how you edit the document.
You can also select multiple paragraphs and explore a border to the bottom of the last one, which creates a single line under a block of text. The line respects your margin settings and adjusts if you change them later.
Creating lines with a table for forms
If you are building a form with multiple lines for people to write on, a table with invisible borders is the most reliable method. Click the Insert tab, select Table, and choose a straightforward two-column layout (or one column if you only need lines). Type your label in the left column (like "Name:" or "Date:") and leave the right column empty.
Select the empty cells in the right column, then go to the Borders dropdown and choose "Borders and Shading." Set the borders so only the bottom edge shows a line. This creates a professional-looking form where each line is the same length and aligned vertically. If you need to adjust line length, you can widen or narrow the columns, and all the lines adjust together.
Tables are also the best choice if you need lines to stay in exact positions or if you plan to print the form for people to fill in by hand. The lines do not shift if someone types in the cells or if the document is opened on a different computer with different fonts installed.
Inserting a horizontal rule across the page
For a line that spans the full width of your page, use the Insert tab and look for Shapes or Lines. Click the line tool and draw across the page. This creates a graphic object rather than text, so it behaves differently — you can move it by dragging, but it does not automatically adjust if you change margins or page width.
Horizontal rules are useful for dividing sections of a long document or creating a visual break between chapters. However, they are harder to edit than borders or underscores. If you need to delete one, you must click on it to select it first, then press Delete. If you accidentally click near it instead of on it, nothing happens.
Adjusting line length and spacing
Underscore lines are as long as the number of underscores you type. If you need a line that is exactly 2 inches long, count how many underscores fit in that space on your screen, or use a ruler to measure. This is imprecise and changes if you switch fonts.
Lines created with borders are as wide as the paragraph or cell they are attached to. To make a border line shorter, you can reduce the width of the cell or paragraph it is under. To make it longer, widen the cell or let the paragraph extend further to the right.
If you want space between a line and the text above it, click in the paragraph above the line, go to the Paragraph settings (right-click and choose Paragraph, or use the Format menu), and increase the "spacing after" value. This pushes the line down without adding extra blank lines.
Removing lines you no longer need
To remove an underscore line, select the entire line of underscores and delete it. Word treats it as text, so selecting and deleting works like any other text.
To remove a border line, click in the paragraph or cell that has the border, go to the Borders dropdown, and choose "No Border." If you are not sure which paragraph has the border, click near the line and look at the paragraph mark (¶) — the border is attached to whichever paragraph that mark belongs to.
To remove a line created with shapes or the Insert menu, click on it once to select it (you should see selection handles around it), then press Delete.
When to use each method
| Method | Best for | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Underscores | Quick signature lines, short forms, informal documents | Does not adjust if you change margins or fonts; imprecise length |
| Borders | Professional documents, headings, section breaks, lines that move with text | Requires using the Borders menu; less control over exact length |
| Tables | Formal forms, documents with many lines, printed forms to fill in by hand | Takes more setup time; harder to edit if you need to change the layout later |
| Shapes or Insert Lines | Full-width dividers, decorative lines, visual breaks between sections | Harder to select and edit; does not move with text if you add or delete content above it |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make an underscore line longer or shorter after I type it?
Yes. Click at the end of the line of underscores, then use Backspace to delete underscores from the right, or click at the beginning and delete from the left. You can also select the entire line and retype it with more or fewer underscores. If you need the line to be a specific length, using a border or table is more precise.
Why does my border line disappear when I print?
Border lines should print by default, but some printers or print settings hide them. Go to File > Print, click Print Layout or Print Preview, and check that the line is visible there. If it is not visible in the preview, go to the paragraph with the border, right-click, choose Paragraph, go to the Borders tab, and make sure the line style is not set to "None" or a very light color.
How do I make a line that is only 1 inch long instead of the full page width?
Use a table with one cell, or create a text box and draw a border inside it. Both methods let you control the exact width. A table is easier: insert a one-cell table, set the cell width to 1 inch, then add a bottom border to that cell. Delete the cell borders so only the bottom line shows.
Can I use a line as a page break or divider between sections?
Yes. A border line under a heading or a horizontal rule inserted from the Insert menu both work well for dividing sections. A border line is better if you want the line to stay attached to the heading above it. A horizontal rule is better if you want a full-width visual break that is not tied to any specific text.