Word gives you several ways to add a dotted line: a keyboard shortcut that turns three asterisks into a full-width dotted line, a paragraph border you can style exactly, a drawn line you can put anywhere, and dot leaders that fill the space between text (like a table of contents). This guide covers all four in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021/2019/2016 and Word for Mac, plus how to remove a dotted line you can’t select.
Quick Answer
On a new line, type three asterisks (***) and press Enter. Word turns them into a dotted line across the page. For more control, use Home > Borders > Borders and Shading and choose a dotted style.
Method 1: AutoFormat Shortcut (Fastest)
- Click on an empty line.
- Type *** and press Enter.
Other characters create other lines:
| Type | Result |
|---|---|
| *** | Dotted line |
| — | Thin solid line |
| ___ | Thick solid line |
| === | Double line |
| ~~~ | Wavy line |
| ### | Thick line between two thin lines |
If nothing happens, turn it on in File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type and check Border lines.
Method 2: Dotted Paragraph Border (Custom Style)
- Click in the paragraph where you want the line (or select several paragraphs).
- Go to Home and click the arrow next to the Borders button.
- Choose Borders and Shading.
- On the Borders tab, select a dotted or dashed Style, then a Color and Width.
- In Preview, click the bottom (or top) edge to apply the line there.
- Make sure Apply to says Paragraph and click OK.
Use Page Border tab for a dotted border around the whole page.
Method 3: Draw a Dotted Line Anywhere
- Go to Insert > Shapes and choose the Line.
- Hold Shift and drag to draw a straight horizontal or vertical line.
- With the line selected, open Shape Format > Shape Outline > Dashes and pick Round Dot or Square Dot.
- Change the thickness in Shape Outline > Weight and the color in Shape Outline.
Drawn lines float over text. Right-click the line > Wrap Text > In Line with Text to keep it in place with a paragraph. This method is ideal for cut lines on coupons and forms.
Method 4: Dot Leaders (Table of Contents or Menu Style)
- Type the left text, for example “Chapter 1.”
- Open the Paragraph dialog (small arrow in the Paragraph group) and click Tabs.
- Enter a tab stop position near the right margin, such as 6″, choose Right alignment and Leader 2 ……..
- Click Set and OK.
- Press Tab after the left text and type the right text (for example a page number). Dots fill the gap.
For a fill-in-the-blank line, press Tab with only a leader set to create a dotted line for writing on.
Word for Mac and the Web
- Mac: the *** shortcut, Borders and Shading (Format > Borders and Shading or the Borders button), shapes and tabs all work the same.
- Web: Word for the web supports the Borders button and some AutoFormat lines; drawn shapes and full border styling are more limited.
How to Remove a Dotted Line
AutoFormat lines are paragraph borders, so you can’t select and delete them like text. Click just above the line, go to Home > Borders and choose No Border. For other kinds of dotted lines (text boundaries, spelling underlines, page break lines), see how to remove dotted lines in Word.
Building a worksheet or form? Our guide to fill-in-the-blank lines in Word uses the same tab leader technique with underlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a vertical dotted line?
Use Insert > Shapes > Line, hold Shift while drawing vertically, and set Dashes to a dotted style. Or apply a dotted left/right border to a paragraph or table cell.
Can I make the dots bigger?
Yes. Increase the Width in Borders and Shading or the Weight for a drawn line.
Why does the line extend across the page?
Paragraph borders run the width of the paragraph. Change the paragraph’s left and right indents to shorten it.
Summary
- Type *** and press Enter for a quick dotted line.
- Use Borders and Shading for custom styles.
- Draw a Line shape with Round Dot dashes for any position.
- Use tab leaders for dots between text.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.