How to type an em dash in Google Docs
To type an em dash in Google Docs, use Alt + 0151 on Windows or Option + Shift + - on a Mac. To have Docs do it for you, add a substitution under Tools → Preferences that replaces -- with —.
Quick answer
Windows: Alt + 0151. Mac: Option + Shift + -. Or Insert → Special characters → “em dash”.
Step by step
Open Tools → Preferences
Switch to the Substitutions tab.
Check for an existing rule
Scroll the list. If you do not see -- mapped to —, add it.
Add the rule
Type -- in the Replace box and paste — (copy it from this page) into the With box. Keep the row ticked.
Test it
Click OK, type word--word and a space. The hyphens turn into —.
Special characters panel
Choose Insert → Special characters and type em dash in the search box. Docs shows — (Em Dash) with – (En Dash) and ― (Horizontal Bar) close by. Hover to check the name before clicking, because the three are easy to confuse at small sizes.
And the en dash
For number ranges (pages 4–9, 2020–2026) use the en dash. It is Alt + 0150 on Windows and Option + - on a Mac. If you add an em dash substitution, you can add a second rule for the en dash with a different trigger, such as -n-. Our guide to the em dash, en dash and hyphen shows when each is correct.
On a Chromebook
ChromeOS does not use alt codes. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2014 and press Space. The substitution rule above works on Chromebooks too and is usually faster.
In the mobile apps
On iPhone, tap 123 and hold the hyphen key, then slide to —. On Android with Gboard, long-press the hyphen on the ?123 page. The keyboard route is the quickest way on phones.
Codes for every other app are on the em dash — page; for Microsoft Word’s built-in AutoFormat and Ctrl + Alt + minus shortcut, see em dash in Word.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Docs convert -- into an em dash automatically?
Only if the substitution exists in Tools → Preferences → Substitutions. Add -- → — there if it is missing.
What is the em dash shortcut in Google Docs on Mac?
Option + Shift + hyphen, the standard Mac shortcut, works in Docs.
How do I type an em dash on a Chromebook?
Ctrl + Shift + U, then 2014, then Space.