How to Double Underline in Google Docs

how to double underline in google docs
by David Harris // January 15  

Have you ever needed to make a specific term stand out in your document? You might want to highlight important points, titles, or something you want the reader to pay special attention to. In many cases, people use bold or italic formatting to achieve this. But another effective way is double underlining. So, how do you double-underline in Google Docs?

In this article, we will guide you through the steps to double-underline text in Google Docs while also covering best practices, potential pitfalls, and some personal anecdotes to help shine a light on its usefulness in real-life situations.

Why Double Underline?

Double underlining is often perceived as emphasizing information more than regular underlining. It’s commonly found in academic writing or formal documents. For instance, I remember double underlining during a school project about climate change. When I highlighted statistics regarding temperature changes, the double underline captured my teacher’s attention and made it clear those figures were vital to understanding the issue.

Moreover, according to the Purdue Online Writing Lab, clear and effective writing communication can help better convey your ideas (Purdue OWL). Knowing the right way to use formatting, like double underlining, ensures clarity.

How to Double Underline in Google Docs

Google Docs does not offer a direct double underline option, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it with a few extra steps! Here’s how you can create a double underline effect:

Step 1: Open Google Docs

First, navigate to Google Docs and open the document you want to edit. Whether it’s a school report, a personal project, or a business plan, you can apply the same process.

Step 2: Highlight the Text

Using your mouse or keyboard, highlight the text you want to double-underline. This text requires emphasis, like your project title or important statistics.

Step 3: Format the Text

  1. Once your text is highlighted, go to the toolbar at the top of your document.
  2. Click on the “Format” menu.
  3. From the drop-down list, choose “Text”.
  4. Select “Underline” (or press Ctrl + U for Windows or Cmd + U on Mac).
  5. After the first underline appears, press Ctrl + U or Cmd + U again while the text is still highlighted to apply the double underline effect.

And there you have it! Your text now features a double underline.

Example in Action

Imagine you are writing an essay about renewable energy sources. Your thesis statement might read: “Solar energy provides a powerful way to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.” To emphasize “Solar energy,” highlight that text and follow the steps above to double-underline it. The visual effect can emphasize its importance, making your thesis stronger.

Pros and Cons of Using Double Underline

Before diving deeper into double underlining, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of using this formatting style in Google Docs.

Pros

  1. Enhanced Emphasis: Double underlining serves to amplify the importance of specific text, making it stand out more than a regular underline.
  2. Visual Appeal: Double underlining can create a professional visual style for certain document types, like resumes and reports.
  3. Clarity: It helps create distinctions between sections or critical points in your document, assisting readers to navigate effortlessly.

Cons

  1. Distraction: If overused, double underlining can distract readers rather than guide their attention to key points.
  2. Reduced Readability: Too much decorative formatting may impact the overall readability of your text, especially if used on every page.
  3. Limited Functionality: Google Docs does not offer a built-in double underline function, making it time-consuming for users to achieve the effect.

Best Practices when Using Double Underline

To effectively use double underlining without losing clarity or professionalism, consider the following best practices:

Use Sparingly

Only use double underlining for key phrases or significant points in your document. For instance, an article I wrote on desktop publishing had multiple headings, and I strategically double-underlined critical terms to emphasize important ideas without overwhelming the reader.

Context is Key

Make sure that the instances where you use double underlining fit contextually. For example, I once created a presentation on the effects of technology in classrooms. Each section had a double-underlined title, making it easy for my audience to follow along and connect key ideas.

Combine with Other Styles

Don’t mix double underlining with other formatting styles, like bold or color changes, to create a cohesive visual presentation. For example, you can put the text in bold and use double underlining to give it more accent.

Potential Pitfalls of Double Underlining

Despite its usefulness, there are pitfalls to be aware of when using double underlining.

Overusing Double Underlines

Remember that too much of a good thing can become overwhelming. If everything in your document is double-underlined, it may lose its special effect. Strive to keep your formatting minimalistic for maximum impact.

Possible Confusion in Different Contexts

In legal or academic documents, double underlining might have specific meanings attached. For example, in some grading practices, double underlining may indicate serious errors. Always consider your audience and the document’s context when applying formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to How To Double Underline In Google Docs

Q. What is double underlining?
A. Double underlining is when you have two lines under a text instead of one. It’s often used for emphasis.

Q. Can I directly double-underline text in Google Docs?
A. No, Google Docs doesn’t have a double underline option in the text formatting menu. You need to create it using a workaround.

Q. What is the workaround for creating a double underline in Google Docs?
A. You can use the “Underline” tool twice and adjust the line spacing to achieve the appearance of a double underline.

Q. How do I select text to double underline it?
A. Highlight the text you want to double underline by clicking and dragging your mouse.

Q. What are the steps to double underline text?
A. First, underline the text, highlight it again, click the text color option, and choose a background color to create the double effect.

Q. Can I change the color of the double underline?
A. Yes, you can change the color of the underline by changing the text color and background color of the selected text.

Q. Is double underlining useful for all types of documents?
A. Double underlining is mostly used to emphasize certain documents, like reports or academic papers. It’s best to use it sparingly.

Q. How do I remove a double underline?
A. To remove the double underline, simply highlight the text and press the “Undo” button or change the formatting to normal.

Q. Can I use double underline in Google Docs on mobile?
A. The mobile version of Google Docs doesn’t have a specific double underline feature, but you can use the same workaround.

Q. What should I do if I can’t figure out the double underline technique?
A. If you’re having trouble, look for tutorials or guides online or the Google Docs Help Center for more information.

Conclusion

Knowing how to double underline in Google Docs is valuable in your desktop publishing toolkit. While it may take a few extra steps compared to straightforward formatting, the benefits it brings to emphasizing important text cannot be understated. By using double underlining effectively, you can enhance your document’s clarity and professionalism.

As you’ve read, carefully considering when to use double underlines, best practices, and potential pitfalls will lead to stronger and more effective writing. I still remember its impact on my projects, and I hope you find it useful in yours!

Now, give double underlining a shot in your Google Docs. Your readers might just appreciate the emphasis.

About the Author

David Harris is a content writer at Adazing with 20 years of experience navigating the ever-evolving worlds of publishing and technology. Equal parts editor, tech enthusiast, and caffeine connoisseur, he’s spent decades turning big ideas into polished prose. As a former Technical Writer for a cloud-based publishing software company and a Ghostwriter of over 60 books, David’s expertise spans technical precision and creative storytelling. At Adazing, he brings a knack for clarity and a love of the written word to every project—while still searching for the keyboard shortcut that refills his coffee.