Underlining text can be useful for adding emphasis or highlighting important information. There are a few different ways to underline text depending on the platform you are using. Here is a quick overview of how to underline text in some common applications and websites:
| Platform | How to Underline |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Select the text and click the Underline button in the Font section of the Home tab, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U. |
| Google Docs | Select the text and click the Underline button (U with a line under it) in the formatting toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U. |
| Select the text and click the Underline button (U with a line under it) in the formatting toolbar if available, or surround the text with HTML tags <u> and </u>. | |
| Websites | For text you can edit, surround it with HTML tags <u> and </u>. For static text, underline styling is usually controlled by CSS. |
The rest of this article will go into more detail on how to underline text in some of the most common applications and platforms.
Underlining Text in Word Processing Software
Word processing applications like Microsoft Word and Google Docs provide simple ways to underline text with just a few clicks. Here are specific instructions for underlining text in these popular word processors:
Microsoft Word
Underlining text in Microsoft Word can be done in a few ways:
– Select the text you want to underline. Do this by clicking and dragging your cursor over the text.
– With the text selected, click on the Underline button in the Font section of the Home tab. This button has a “U” with a line under it.
– Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U to underline selected text.
– You can adjust the look of the underline by clicking the arrow next to the Underline button. Options include double underline, wavy underline, dotted underline, and underline color.
– To remove an underline, select the underlined text and click the Underline button again to toggle it off.
Underlining in Word works for any text in the document body, headers, footers, text boxes, and more. The underline is applied directly to the text and will remain if you copy/paste the text elsewhere.
Google Docs
The process for underlining text in Google Docs is very similar:
– Highlight the desired text by clicking and dragging over it with your cursor.
– Click the Underline button (U with a line under it) in the formatting toolbar. This will apply a basic underline.
– You can customize the underline style by clicking the down arrow next to the Underline button. Choose from options like double underline, dotted underline, or selecting a color.
– Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U to quickly underline text without using the mouse.
– To remove an underline, select the text and click the Underline button again to toggle it off.
As with Word, the underline applied in Google Docs will remain on the text if it is copied and pasted elsewhere. The underline is applied directly to the selected text.
Underlining Text in Email
Email platforms provide a couple different options for underlining text, depending on the features available in the email service you are using.
Email Formatting Toolbar
Many email services like Gmail and Outlook include a formatting toolbar that allows you to modify text style. If this toolbar is present, you can underline text using a similar process to word processing software:
– Select or highlight the text you want underlined.
– Click the Underline button (U with a line under it) in the formatting toolbar.
– Remove underlines by selecting the text and clicking the Underline button again.
– Any custom underline options like double underlining or underline color may be limited based on the email service.
HTML Tags
Even if an email service does not have a formatting toolbar, you can underline text by using HTML tags:
– Surround the text you want underlined with the tags <u> and </u> like this: <u>underlined text</u>
– The opening <u> applies the underline and the closing </u> removes it.
– Make sure your email is formatted with HTML to properly render the tags.
– This will underline text in any email service, but you cannot adjust the styling beyond a basic underline.
– Avoid overusing underlines in emails as they can decrease readability. Use sparingly for key points or links.
Underlining Text on Websites
Underlining text on websites is dictated by the HTML and CSS styling of the site. There are a couple ways to approach underlining text:
Editable Website Text
If you have access to edit text content on a website page:
– You can surround text with <u> and </u> HTML tags to underline it, just like in an email.
– Make sure the page is formatted to support HTML styling for this to work.
– You will be limited to a basic underline controlled by the page’s CSS.
Static Website Text
For static text already on a webpage that you do not have editing access to:
– The underline styling is controlled by the CSS rules set for that page and text element.
– You cannot edit the HTML to add <u> tags.
– Inspect the element using your browser’s developer tools to find the CSS class or ID.
– If you have access to edit the site’s CSS files, you can add/update the text-decoration property for that element.
For example:
.important-text {
text-decoration: underline;
}
– Ask the web developer for guidance on the proper way to implement a text underline if needed.
Underlining Text in Mobile Applications
Underlining text in mobile apps works similarly to websites – the style is dictated by the app’s code. There are a couple approaches:
Editable App Text
If you need to underline text displayed in a mobile app:
– Look for a formatting menu that may have an underline option. This works like the formatting toolbar in email or documents.
– Some apps allow applying HTML tags like <u> to underline text.
– Apps may have proprietary text formatting syntax instead of HTML – check the documentation.
Static App Text
If attempting to underline non-editable text in an app:
– The underline styling is controlled by the CSS or code for that text element.
– You will need access to the app’s source code to change the styling.
– A developer can add text-decoration: underline; to the correct style rule to underline static text.
– Consider if underlining static text improves the app UX or creates unnecessary visual noise.
Special Considerations for Underlined Text
Here are some additional tips for effectively using underlined text:
– Avoid overusing underlines. They are best for highlighting important content rather than stylistic flair.
– Double or thicker underlines can improve accessibility for visually impaired users.
– Color can make underlined text stand out more but avoid colors close in hue to the original text.
– Underlined text can indicate clickable links. Make sure real links are unambiguous.
– Consider alternatives like bold, italics, or highlights if underlines impact readability.
– Make underlined text a conscious design choice instead of the default for emphasis.
Conclusion
Underlining text is an easy way to add emphasis and draw attention to important information. The method varies depending on whether you are underlining text in documents, emails, websites, or apps – but generally involves either clicking a formatting toolbar button or surrounding text with HTML tags. Remember to use underlining judiciously and do not overdo it, as large blocks of underlined text become difficult to read. With just a few clicks or a simple tag, you can direct focus and highlight key ideas for your readers.