How to Underline in Microsoft Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Underlining text in Microsoft Word is a straightforward process that can add emphasis and clarity to your document. Whether you’re working on a report, essay, or any other type of document, knowing how to underline text is a basic but essential skill. In just a few quick steps, you’ll be on your way to mastering this formatting tool.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Underline in Microsoft Word

Let’s dive into how you can underline text in Microsoft Word. The following steps will guide you through the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Select the Text You Want to Underline

Click and drag your mouse over the text you wish to underline.

Selecting the text you want to underline is the first step. Make sure you only select the words that need underlining to avoid any unwanted formatting.

Step 2: Click the Underline Button

On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the “U” button.

Once you have your text selected, look for the “U” icon in the toolbar at the top of your Word document. This button is typically found in the Font section. Clicking it will apply an underline to the selected text.

Step 3: Use the Keyboard Shortcut

Alternatively, press Ctrl+U on your keyboard after selecting the text.

If you prefer keyboard shortcuts for efficiency, simply press Ctrl+U on your keyboard after selecting the text. This action will also underline the selected text.

Once you’ve completed these steps, the selected text in your Microsoft Word document will be underlined. This simple formatting tool can make certain parts of your document stand out or indicate titles of works.

Tips: Underlining Text in Microsoft Word

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when underlining text in Microsoft Word:

• Use underlining sparingly to avoid cluttering your document and making it difficult to read.
• Consider using bold or italics for emphasis if underlining might be too strong.
• You can also underline blank spaces by selecting the space and clicking the underline button, which is useful for creating fill-in-the-blank forms.
• If you want to underline a single word, double-click the word to select it quickly.
• Remember that underlining hyperlinks is a default setting in Word, so be mindful of this when formatting links.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove underlining from text?

To remove underlining, simply select the underlined text and click the underline button again, or press Ctrl+U.

Can I underline text in different colors?

Yes, first underline the text, then go to the Font Color dropdown menu and select the color you want for the underline.

Is there a way to underline individual words in a sentence without underlining the spaces between them?

Absolutely! Just select each word individually while holding down the Ctrl key, and then apply the underline.

Can I apply different underline styles in Microsoft Word?

Indeed, after selecting your text, click on the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group to open the Font dialog box, where you’ll find various underline styles.

How do I underline text using Microsoft Word on a Mac?

The process is similar: select your text and press Command+U or click the underline button on the Home tab.

Summary

1. Select the text you want to underline.
2. Click the “U” underline button in the Font group on the Home tab.
3. Alternatively, use the Ctrl+U keyboard shortcut.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of underlining in Microsoft Word can enhance your documents, making them more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Whether it’s for professional reports, academic papers, or personal projects, understanding how to use this basic formatting feature is essential. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to underline text with confidence and ease. Remember, a well-formatted document reflects your attention to detail and can leave a lasting impression on your readers. So, the next time you’re working on a Word document, use these tips to underline effectively and take your formatting skills to the next level.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.