Are you tired of OpenOffice forgetting your em dash preferences? Frustrated with constantly re-typing that pesky long dash? You're not alone! This common OpenOffice quirk can be easily solved, and we'll show you how, along with a handy style guide to ensure your writing always looks professional.
Understanding the Em Dash
Before we dive into the fix, let's clarify what an em dash is and why it's important. An em dash (—) is a punctuation mark longer than a hyphen (-) and a much more visually appealing alternative to parentheses or commas in certain situations. It's used to:
- Set off a parenthetical phrase: This is more emphatic than parentheses—a key difference to remember.
- Indicate a break in thought or sentence structure: The meeting—unexpectedly—ran late.
- Show a range or span: Pages 10—25 detail the methodology.
Using em dashes correctly adds clarity and visual appeal to your writing. However, OpenOffice's occasional failure to remember your preferred method of insertion can be maddening.
How to Insert an Em Dash in OpenOffice Consistently
OpenOffice doesn't have a dedicated em dash button like some other word processors. But there are several reliable ways to insert it, and with a little practice, you'll be a dash-inserting pro:
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Most Efficient!)
The easiest and most efficient way is using the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + - (hold down the Control and Shift keys, then press the hyphen key). This consistently inserts an em dash regardless of your previous settings or OpenOffice quirks.
Method 2: Insert Special Character
If keyboard shortcuts aren't your thing, you can use OpenOffice's "Insert Special Character" feature:
- Go to Insert > Special Characters.
- In the "Character Name" field, type "em dash" (without the quotation marks).
- Select the em dash and click "Insert".
This method is slightly slower, but it's a reliable alternative if you prefer visual selection.
Method 3: Autocorrect (For the Persistent)
While OpenOffice's autocorrect isn't always perfect, you can try training it to recognize and replace a specific symbol with an em dash. This is less reliable than the keyboard shortcut, but it might work for you:
- Go to Tools > AutoCorrect Options.
- Navigate to the "AutoCorrect" tab.
- In the "Replace" field, type whatever you usually type to try and create an em dash. For example, you might use two hyphens
-- - In the "With" field, paste an actual em dash (—). You can do this using the methods above to obtain one first.
- Click "Add" then "OK".
Maintaining Your Em Dash Consistency
Regardless of the method you choose, the key to consistency is sticking with it. Choose one method and use it every time. This will prevent OpenOffice's unpredictable behavior from frustrating you.
Beyond the Em Dash: OpenOffice Formatting Tips
While we've focused on em dashes, OpenOffice offers many other formatting options. Mastering these tools will significantly enhance your documents' professionalism. Here are a few more tips:
- Style consistency: Utilize OpenOffice's styles feature to maintain consistent formatting throughout your document. This includes fonts, spacing, and heading styles.
- Use of templates: Start with pre-designed templates to ensure a professional look from the beginning.
- Regular updates: Keeping your OpenOffice software updated can often prevent unexpected glitches and improve overall performance.
By mastering the em dash and implementing these broader formatting tips, you can ensure your OpenOffice documents are polished, professional, and completely free of pesky punctuation inconsistencies. Now go forth and dash with confidence!
