Continue reading to learn how you can insert an artistic or decorative horizontal line in Microsoft Word 2010. Adding a Decorative Horizontal Line in Word 2010 If you are convinced that this option exists, then it is probably because you have noticed it on someone else’s document.
Last updated: January 10, 2017
There is a very simple way to insert basic horizontal lines in Microsoft Word 2010. You simply hold the Shift key on your keyboard, press the “_” key three times, then press Enter on your keyboard. However all this will do is insert a boring, thin horizontal line. What if you want to insert a decorative line that has some color or some style?
Well Microsoft Word also gives you the option to do this, although it might be a little more difficult to find. You can insert a line like this at any point in your Word document where you want to add a little creativity to an object whose purpose is simply breaking up paragraphs of text. Continue reading to learn how you can insert an artistic or decorative horizontal line in Microsoft Word 2010.
Adding a Decorative Horizontal Line in Word 2010
If you are convinced that this option exists, then it is probably because you have noticed it on someone else’s document. And the fact that you simply remembered seeing it is a testament to how effective a page element these artistic and decorative lines can be. Most Word documents all look very similar, so something unusual can be a large factor in getting your document to stand out. I had simply assumed that these different horizontal lines I was seeing in Word documents were being inserted as pictures, but they are a different element than that. Read the tutorial below to learn how to find and insert these decorative horizontal lines.
Step 1: Double-click the document to which you want to add a horizontal line to open the document in Word 2010.
Step 2: Click the point in your document where you want to insert the line.
Step 3: Click the Page Layout tab at the top of the window, then click the Page Borders button in the Page Background section of the navigational ribbon. Word 2010 has classified this as a page border element, which is why you need to find it on this menu.
Step 4: Click the Horizontal Line button at the bottom-left corner of the window.
Step 5: Scroll through the list of options until you find a decorative horizontal line that you like. If you were looking for a fancy squiggle line, for instance, you could find one on this menu. Click the option once to highlight it in blue, then click the OK button to insert the line into your document.
Step 6: You can format the appearance of the horizontal line by right-clicking it then choosing the Format Horizontal Line option. This opens a Format Horizontal Line window that you can use to customize the size and appearance of the line.
The options available are surprisingly robust, so you should be able to customize the artistic horizontal line as much as you need to for your document.
Summary – How to insert a decorative line in Word 2010
- Click the Page Layout tab at the top of the window.
- Click the Page Borders button.
- Click the Horizontal Line button.
- Select your decorative line, then click the OK button.
- Right-click the decorative line, then click Format Horizontal Line option to make any changes.
Do you have a document that was written entirely in capital letters, and you are looking for a way to change that without retyping the whole thing? Learn how to convert capital letters to lowercase letters in Word 2010 and save yourself a big headache.
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Lines are an intuitive call to action for any form-filler, but not all of Microsoft Publisher’s in-program templates come with them placed where you want them to appear. Whether you choose to jumpstart your form production process by using a template or creating one from scratch, you’re always able to create lines in your exact needed style. If you need someone to sign on a dotted one or place a John Hancock on a solid one, Publisher will help you get in line.
Template Team Work
One of the easiest way to create a form with lines is to let Publisher do the hard work for you. Type “form” into the search box on the main screen. For more filtered results, type something more specific, such as “job application form” or “invoice form.” Review the results on the right size Category column and click a header. For example, if you typed “form” into Publisher 2013, you’ll get 190 business form templates. Review the template preview thumbnails and choose one with text close to what you need and lines where you want them to be. All templates are completely customizable.
Walk the Line
Create a new form from scratch by clicking the “Blank Document” button on Publisher’s main screen. Click the “Insert” tab, then click the “Shapes” button on the ribbon. Choose the first button under the Lines section and the cursor changes to a plus symbol. Position the cursor on the form, press and hold down the 'Shift' key and drag the cursor left to right, up to down, or the reverse of either. Holding 'Shift' keeps your line straight; release the key when the line is your preferred size. After the line is added to the form, a new Drawing Tools tab opens. Here you can edit the way the line looks, including increasing its width and changing its color. Note that these directions also work if you’ve opened an existing template and want to add more lines.
References (2)
About the Author
Fionia LeChat is a technical writer whose major skill sets include the MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher), Photoshop, Paint, desktop publishing, design and graphics. LeChat has a Master of Science in technical writing, a Master of Arts in public relations and communications and a Bachelor of Arts in writing/English.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
LeChat, Filonia. 'How to Create a Form With Lines in Publisher.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/create-form-lines-publisher-77268.html. Accessed 10 November 2019.
LeChat, Filonia. (n.d.). How to Create a Form With Lines in Publisher. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/create-form-lines-publisher-77268.html
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