How to Insert a Line in Word Under Text: Easy Methods

To put a line under text in Word, select the text and press Ctrl+U on Windows or Command+U on Mac. To add a horizontal line beneath a paragraph instead, click in the paragraph and choose Home > Paragraph > Borders > Bottom Border. Word offers several kinds of lines, so choose the method that matches whether you want an underline, a divider, or a line you can position yourself.

What You’ll Need

A document open in Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365. The instructions below use Word on Windows; Mac differences are noted where they matter.
The text or paragraph where you want the line, if you are adding one to existing content. Save the document before making substantial layout changes.

Step-by-Step

Decide what kind of line you need. An underline sits directly beneath letters and follows the length of the selected text. A paragraph border creates a horizontal divider along the width of the paragraph area. A drawn line is a movable shape that you can position and resize. For a standard line under a heading or paragraph, use a bottom border; for an actual underline, use the Underline command.
Underline specific words or characters. Select the text you want to underline by dragging across it, or place the cursor in a word if you want to underline that word. On Windows, press Ctrl+U, or go to Home > Font > Underline. On Mac, press Command+U, or use Home > Underline. To stop underlining text you type next, press the shortcut again or click the Underline button. If you select text that is already underlined, the command removes the underline.
Add a line beneath a paragraph with a bottom border. Click anywhere in the paragraph that should have a line underneath it; you do not have to select the paragraph. On Windows, open Home and find the Paragraph group. Click the arrow beside the Borders button, then choose Bottom Border. The line generally runs across the paragraph’s available width, between the page margins. In many Microsoft 365 layouts, the Borders button looks like a small square grid; use its arrow to open the menu rather than clicking the main button repeatedly. On Mac, use Home > Borders and select Bottom Border; the precise placement or appearance of the border menu can vary with the ribbon layout.
Use Word’s automatic horizontal line if you want a quick divider. On a blank line, type three hyphens (—) and press Enter. In Word for Windows, AutoFormat may convert them into a horizontal border beneath the paragraph. This is a paragraph border, not an independent line object: it follows the paragraph’s width and formatting. If typing the hyphens leaves them as characters, check that automatic border formatting is enabled, or use the Bottom Border method instead. To make the line, start on a paragraph by itself; do not type the hyphens at the end of a sentence.
Draw a line when you need precise placement. Place the cursor near the area where you want the line. Choose Insert > Shapes, then select Line from the Lines section. Drag across the page to draw it. Hold Shift while dragging to keep the line horizontal or vertical. Select the line to adjust its endpoints or use Shape Format to change its outline, weight, or color. In Word for Mac, use Insert > Shape and choose a line shape; the available controls may be displayed on the Shape Format tab or in the formatting pane.
Check the line in context and save. Look at the document at its normal page size, not only in a close zoom. Confirm that the line is under the intended words or paragraph, is not too close to nearby text, and does not continue onto an unwanted paragraph. If the line is a shape, check that it stays in place when you edit nearby text. Save the document after adjusting it.

For a simple heading divider, the bottom-border method is often the most predictable choice. For example, click in the paragraph containing the heading and apply Bottom Border; Word draws a line under that paragraph area. If you want the line to match only the heading’s letters, select the heading and use Underline instead. These methods can look similar at a glance, but they behave differently when text wraps or changes.

Common Mistakes

Using Underline when you meant a full-width divider. Underline follows the selected characters, so it will not normally stretch across the page. Apply a bottom border to the paragraph for a divider that spans its text area.
Applying a border to the wrong paragraph. A paragraph border applies to the paragraph containing the insertion point, not necessarily the line of text you happen to be looking at. Click inside the intended paragraph before opening the Borders menu. If the paragraph wraps onto multiple visual lines, it is still one paragraph unless you inserted a paragraph break.
Clicking the main Borders button instead of its menu arrow. The main button may repeat the last border setting. Open the arrow menu to choose Bottom Border specifically and avoid accidentally adding a box or another edge.
Drawing a shape without considering text wrapping. A drawn line is an object, so its position can shift as surrounding text changes. If it overlaps text or moves unexpectedly, select it and review the layout or wrapping options. Use a paragraph border if you do not need independent positioning.
Typing underscores to create a permanent divider. A row of underscore characters is text, not a clean line object or paragraph border. Its length can change with font and spacing, and it may wrap. Use a border or shape for a divider that should stay consistent.
Pressing Enter after a selected underline command. Underline formatting can carry into the next text you type. Turn it off before continuing, or remove the formatting from the new text if it has already appeared.

Tips

Use the right tool for repeatable documents. Paragraph borders are useful for consistent dividers in reports and letters because they follow the paragraph. Shapes suit diagrams or designs where you need to place a line at a particular angle or position.
Adjust a border rather than drawing over it. Open Home > Borders and use Borders and Shading, where available, to change the border’s style, color, width, or spacing. Check that the preview shows only the bottom edge if you do not want a box around the paragraph. The dialog’s location can vary slightly by Word layout.
Make a heading underline intentional. If the underline should be close to the letters, use the Underline options on the Home tab to choose a style or color. If you want a longer rule with space below the heading, a bottom border may give a cleaner result.
Keep a drawn line straight. Hold Shift as you drag the Line shape. To fine-tune its position, select it and use the arrow keys; if it moves with text in an unexpected way, review its layout options and consider changing how it is positioned relative to the page or paragraph.
Use Undo for a quick correction. If Word adds the wrong border or an unwanted automatic line, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on Mac immediately. You can then apply the intended method. Undo is most reliable before you make other edits.
Remember that paragraph borders are attached to paragraphs. If you press Enter after a paragraph with a bottom border, Word may carry paragraph formatting into the next paragraph. If an extra line appears, click in the affected paragraph and use Home > Borders > No Border, then apply the desired formatting only where needed.

Troubleshooting

The line does not appear after choosing Bottom Border. First confirm that the cursor is inside the intended paragraph, then reopen the Borders arrow and choose Bottom Border. Check that the line is not white or too thin to see against the page. If the paragraph has unusual formatting, open Borders and Shading and inspect the preview and line settings. You can also try the command in a new, plain paragraph to see whether the issue is limited to that paragraph’s formatting.

Three hyphens remain on the page instead of becoming a line. The automatic conversion depends on Word’s AutoFormat settings and may be disabled. In Word for Windows, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type and look for the Border lines option. If it is off, enable it if you want automatic borders, then type three hyphens on a fresh line and press Enter. Menu names or settings can differ on Mac; using Home > Borders > Bottom Border avoids relying on automatic conversion.

The line is too long, short, or close to the text. A paragraph border follows the paragraph width, which is usually the space between the page margins. To change that width, adjust paragraph indentation or page margins rather than trying to drag the border itself. For more control over the line’s endpoints, use Insert > Shapes > Line and resize the shape. For a line that follows only a few characters, select those characters and apply Underline.

A shape line moves or overlaps words. Select the line and review its layout options, including text wrapping and position. The available labels can depend on the selected object and Word version. If you only need a divider beneath a paragraph, delete the shape and apply a bottom border; it is tied to the paragraph and is less likely to float over text. If you keep the shape, reposition it after editing the nearby content.

An unwanted line will not delete like ordinary text. It may be a paragraph border rather than a character. Click in the paragraph immediately above the line, then choose Home > Borders > No Border. If it is a drawn shape, click its edge so selection handles appear and press Delete. If the line is an underline, select the underlined text and toggle Underline off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put a line under only one word in Word?
Select the word and press Ctrl+U on Windows or Command+U on Mac. You can also use the Underline button on the Home tab. This applies a character underline rather than a full-width paragraph divider.

How do I put a full line under a heading?
Click inside the heading paragraph, then choose Home > Borders > Bottom Border. This puts a rule under the paragraph area. If you want the line to be only as wide as the heading text, select the heading and apply Underline instead.

Can I make the line shorter or change its color?
For a drawn line, select the shape and use Shape Format to resize it or change Shape Outline. A paragraph border follows the paragraph width; its appearance can be adjusted through Borders and Shading, while its length is generally controlled by paragraph indentation.

Why does my line disappear when I type more text?
A paragraph border remains attached to a paragraph, but editing can move that paragraph or change where the border appears on the page. A shape can also move according to its layout settings. If you need a stable divider in flowing text, use a paragraph border; if you need an exact position, check the shape’s positioning and wrapping options.

How do I remove a line in Word?
For a paragraph border, click in the paragraph and choose Home > Borders > No Border. For a drawn line, select its edge and press Delete. For an underline, select the text and toggle Underline off with Ctrl+U on Windows or Command+U on Mac.

Does the hyphen shortcut work on every Word version?
Typing three hyphens and pressing Enter works when Word’s automatic border formatting is enabled, but the setting can be turned off and menu details differ across platforms. The dependable alternative is to apply Bottom Border from the Home tab.

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