Insert a Nonbreaking Space in Word to Keep Words or Characters Together
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated October 11, 2022
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)
If you want to keep words or characters together on the same line in a Word document, you can insert nonbreaking spaces. Nonbreaking spaces can be inserted using the Insert Symbol dialog box or a keyboard shortcut.
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Note: We are using a US keyboard layout but the strategies and shortcuts apply to English Canada keyboards. Keyboard shortcuts may work differently depending on your keyboard layout / language.
Inserting a nonbreaking space using a keyboard shortcut
To insert a nonbreaking space between two words or characters using a keyboard shortcut:
- Position the cursor between the two words or characters you want to keep together (there should be no space between these characters).
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar. Word inserts a nonbreaking space.
Inserting a nonbreaking space using Insert Symbol
To insert a nonbreaking space between two words or letters using Insert Symbol:
- Position the cursor between the two words or characters you want to keep together (there should be no space between these characters).
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Symbols group, click Insert Symbol and then More Symbols in the drop-down menu. A dialog box appears.
- Select the Special Characters tab.
- Select Nonbreaking space and click Insert.
- Click Close. Word inserts a nonbreaking space.
Below is the Insert Symbol dialog box with Nonbreaking Space selected:
You can also insert several other special characters using Insert Symbol.
Viewing nonbreaking spaces
To view nonbreaking spaces and other nonprinting characters:
- Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
- Click Show/Hide ¶ on the Home tab in the Ribbon in the Paragraph group. Nonbreaking spaces display as circles but do not print.
- Click Show/Hide ¶ again to hide nonprinting characters.
Nonbreaking spaces can be extremely useful in Word to keep phone numbers together or specific characters that should be kept together on the same line.
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