5 Ways to Underline in Microsoft Word

Underlining text in Microsoft Word is more than just drawing a line under a few words. Whether you’re creating formal documents, emphasizing key points, or just adding a little style, Word offers several underlining options you might not be using yet. Here are five practical ways to underline in Microsoft Word:

1. Standard Underline (Ctrl + U)

The most basic way to underline text is by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U (or Cmd + U on Mac). Just highlight the text and hit the keys. This adds a simple line under your selected text—clean and easy.

Pro tip: If you press Ctrl + U before typing, everything you type will be underlined until you turn it off.

2. Underline Styles in the Font Menu

Word gives you more than just the default underline. Click the small arrow next to the underline icon in the toolbar (under the “Home” tab), and you’ll find styles like:

• Double underline
• Dotted underline
• Dashed underline
• Wavy underline

You can even change the underline color to make your text pop.

3. Underline Only Words (Skip the Spaces)

Want to underline just the words, not the spaces between them? Here’s how:

1. Open the Font dialog (Ctrl + D).
2. Check the box for Underline style and choose your preferred line.
3. Check the box Underline words only.

This keeps your document looking clean, especially in formal layouts.

4. Use Borders for Custom Underlining

Borders aren’t just for tables—they’re great for underlining too. Here’s how:

1. Highlight your text.
2. Go to the Home tab → click the Borders button (bottom-right of the Paragraph group).
3. Choose Bottom Border.

This method works well for precise positioning and formatting. It’s also handy for underlining large text blocks or titles.

5. Underline with Shapes or Lines

Need more creative control? Use drawing tools:

1. Go to Insert → Shapes → select Line.
2. Draw a line under your text manually.

This method is especially useful for graphic-heavy documents or when creating headers, certificates, or visual layouts. You can adjust the thickness, color, and position of the line freely.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Word gives you more underlining power than most people realize. Whether you’re keeping things simple or getting creative with shapes and styles, these five methods help you underline smarter and better.

Have a favorite underline trick of your own? Share it in the comments below.