How to Draw Lines in Microsoft Word

This wikiHow teaches you how to draw inside of a Microsoft Word document. You can do this on both Windows and Mac versions of Word.

Steps

  1. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 1
    1
    Open Microsoft Word. Double-click the Word icon, which resembles a white "W" on a dark-blue background.
    • If you want to draw on an existing document, double-click the document instead, then skip the next step.
  2. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 2
    2
    Click Blank document. It's in the upper-left side of the window. Doing so will open a brand-new document.
    • If you're on a Mac, a new, blank document will likely load by default. If so, skip this step.
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  3. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 3
    3
    Click the Insert tab. This option is in the left side of the blue ribbon that's at the top of the Word window. Clicking it causes a toolbar to display below the blue ribbon.
    • If you're on a Mac, make sure you click Insert in the blue ribbon and not in the menu bar.
  4. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 4
    4
    Click Shapes. It's in the "Illustrations" section of the Insert toolbar. Clicking Shapes prompts a drop-down menu.
  5. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 5
    5
    Select a line option from the drop-down menu. In the "Lines" heading, select a line type from the drop-down menu by clicking on it.
    • You can select a pre-determined line by clicking one of the straight line icons or select the "freeform line" by clicking on the squiggly line icon on the far-right under the "Lines" heading.
  6. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 6
    6
    Draw a line in your document. Click and drag to draw, then release the mouse button to cement the shape.
    • You can click and drag the line around after it's cemented.
    • To delete a line, click it to select it and then press the Delete key.
  7. Image titled Draw Lines in Microsoft Word Step 7
    7
    Add more lines. To add another line once the one you created is cemented, simply select a line template from the Shapes menu and repeat the drawing process.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I keep the line horizontal? I only want to place a short line for a signing position.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're talking about keeping a line level while drawing it, press and hold the shift key while you draw the line.
  • Question
    How do I draw lines on a phone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    With Word 2016 for iPhone you would click on the three dots on the right over the keyboard. Then on the left (where it says "Home"), go to "Insert." Then choose "Shapes" and the line you want.
  • Question
    Can I draw several lines without going back and forth to the insert shapes drop-down?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Draw one line, then copy that line and paste it. Modify as/if you wish, then again paste, and so on.
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Warnings

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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 475,224 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 13
Updated: June 3, 2021
Views: 475,224
Categories: Microsoft Word
Article SummaryX

1. Open a new Microsoft Word document.
2. Click Insert
3. Click Shapes
4. Click a line type.
5. Click and drag your cursor over your document.

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