How to Use Your Word Processor

Formatting Vertical and Horizontal Rules

You can create vertical and horizontal rules in Microsoft Word by using one of the following techniques:

Menu Commands: Place your cursor in the text near the location where you want to create a vertical or horizontal rule. Choose the FORMAT > BORDERS AND SHADING command from the main menu, or choose the BORDERS AND SHADING command with your mouse by right-clicking (in Windows) or control-clicking (on the Macintosh). In the Borders and Shading dialog box, select the color and thickness of the line, then click on the top, bottom, or sides of the paragraph icon in the Preview pane to indicate the placement of the line in your document. More stylized horizontal lines can be created by clicking on the Horizontal Line button at the bottom of the Borders and Shading dialog box. By choosing one of the line styles that appear in the new dialog box, you can insert a horizontal line at the location of the cursor in your document. To create vertical rules between columns use the FORMAT > COLUMNS command from the main menu.

The Toolbar: You can use the Line tool in the Drawing toolbar to create and format vertical and horizontal rules. Click on the line tool and draw the line. To constrain the line to vertical or horizontal directions, hold down the Shift key as you draw the line. To format the line, first select it and then set the color and thickness using the Line Color, Line Style, and Dash Style icons on the Drawing toolbar. If the Drawing toolbar is not showing, right-click (in Windows) or control-click (on the Macintosh) with your mouse on any visible toolbar and click the box next to Drawing.