Unable to create lines after a paragraph in a Microsoft 365 word document

Bob Schild 236 Reputation points
2026-08-22T09:57:30.62+00:00

These are not working:

|| || 1.     Enter three –

2.     Press the ENTER key,

|| || 1.     Enter three =

2.     Press the ENTER key

|| || 1.     Enter three #

2.     Press the ENTER key

|| || 1.     Enter three ~

2.     Press the ENTER key.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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TaoLi 111.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-22T10:49:45.38+00:00

It looks like the automatic horizontal line feature in Word is disabled. The shortcuts (---, ===, ###, ~~~) only work when Border Lines is enabled in AutoFormat settings.

Please try:

Open Word → File → Options

Go to Proofing → AutoCorrect Options

Open AutoFormat As You Type

Under Apply as you type, enable Border Lines

Click OK and restart Word

Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-horizontal-line-9bf172f6-5908-4791-9bb9-2c952197b1a9

If it is already enabled, try repairing Microsoft 365:

Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Microsoft 365 → Modify → Quick Repair

After that, test again with a blank document and type:

--- + Enter

It should create the horizontal line automatically.

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AI answer

2026-08-22T09:57:44.7266667+00:00

Those character shortcuts create a horizontal line only when the automatic Border Lines feature is enabled in AutoCorrect.

To turn it on in Word:

  1. Open File > Options.
  2. Select Proofing.
  3. Select AutoCorrect Options.
  4. Open the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
  5. Make sure Border Lines is checked.
  6. Select OK.

Then try again by typing three characters and pressing Enter.

If a line is created and needs formatting afterward, it is inserted as an empty paragraph with a bottom border. That can be changed from Home > Borders > Borders and Shading.

If pressing Enter behaves unexpectedly inside lists, that was a known issue in Word for Microsoft 365 and was fixed in Word builds 17619.20000 (version 2405) and later.

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  1. Charles Kenyon 170.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-08-22T14:53:56.55+00:00

    Turn on automatic border lines in AutoFormat As You Type (not AutoFormat).

    File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type (tab)

    Resources:

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