Assume I type (in Word 2007) multiple "-" into a new line then Word converts them automatically into a straight full line over the whole breadth of the page.

How do I...

1.) let Word 2007 convert them only to a line with the length of the two outmost dashes and NOT the whole page?

2.) shorten an existing straight line to lets say the half of size? Typing simply DEL or Backspace does NOT work.

3.) prevent auto-conversion completely?

Peter

What Word does when you type '---'<Enter> is to apply a bottom border to the paragraph above. The border width will be the same as the paragraph width, so narrowing the paragraph will narrow the border.

If you want a line that is less than the paragraph width, the simplest method is probably to insert an autoshape line if the required width.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Thank you.

But: How do I insert an autoshape line?

When you insert them, they default to a 'Square' wrapping, which permits you to position it anywhere on the page, but you can convert the wrapping to in-line via the 'Wrap Text' button on the 'Picture Tools' tab while the shape is selected. If you do that, the autoshape will assume whatever alignment the underlying paragraph has, so you might want to attach it to an otherwise-empty paragraph for complete alingnment control.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]