If you’ve used ChatGPT for writing anything from emails to blog posts, you’ve probably noticed something odd about the punctuation. Those long dashes—the ones that should connect thoughts seamlessly—sometimes looked broken or displayed incorrectly. Well, there’s a reason for that, and OpenAI just fixed it.
Here’s what you need to know:
- OpenAI confirmed they’ve resolved ChatGPT’s em dash rendering issue
- The problem affected how the platform displayed this specific punctuation mark
- This technical fix has real implications for writers and content creators
- The announcement came in November 2025 after user reports
More Than Just a Technical Glitch
At first glance, an em dash problem might seem like a minor technical issue. But for anyone who relies on ChatGPT for writing assistance, it’s actually quite significant. The em dash—that long dash used to separate clauses or emphasize points—is a workhorse punctuation mark in professional writing.
When ChatGPT renders em dashes incorrectly, it creates formatting problems that can make content look unprofessional. Imagine writing a client proposal or important document only to discover the punctuation appears broken when you paste it elsewhere. According to TechCrunch’s coverage, this issue affected content “everywhere in recent months, including in school papers, emails, comments, customer service chats, LinkedIn posts, online forums, ad copy, and more.”
Why Content Creators Should Care
If you’re a technical writer, marketer, or anyone creating content with AI assistance, this fix matters more than you might think. Proper punctuation rendering ensures your writing maintains its professional appearance across different platforms and applications.
Technical writers in particular rely on precise formatting and punctuation to convey complex information clearly. When em dashes render incorrectly, it can disrupt the flow of technical documentation and make instructions harder to follow. The fix means you can now trust ChatGPT’s output to display consistently whether you’re working in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or content management systems.
The Bigger Picture for AI Writing Tools
While this specific fix addresses em dash rendering, it highlights a broader challenge with AI writing assistants. As Business Insider noted, punctuation and formatting consistency remain crucial for professional writing applications.
Here’s the reality: AI writing tools are becoming integral to content creation workflows, but they need to handle the nuances of professional writing. This includes everything from proper punctuation rendering to consistent formatting across different platforms. The em dash fix represents a step toward making AI writing tools more reliable for professional use.
However, there are still limitations to consider. While the technical rendering issue is resolved, writers should still:
- Proofread all AI-generated content thoroughly
- Check formatting when moving text between applications
- Maintain their own style and voice rather than relying entirely on AI
- Understand that punctuation choices should be intentional, not automated
What This Means for Your Writing Workflow
With the em dash issue resolved, you can be more confident when using ChatGPT for writing tasks. The platform will now render this punctuation mark correctly, reducing the need for manual corrections and formatting fixes.
But here’s the important distinction: while the technical rendering is fixed, the quality of writing still depends on your prompts and editing. The AI can now display em dashes properly, but it’s up to you to ensure they’re used effectively in your content.
The bottom line:
OpenAI’s em dash fix represents meaningful progress for anyone using ChatGPT in their writing workflow. It addresses a specific technical issue that had real implications for content quality and professionalism. While AI writing tools continue to improve, the most effective approach combines these technological advances with human judgment and editing skills. The tools are getting better, but the writer’s eye remains essential.
If you’re interested in related developments, explore our articles on Why the OLED iPad Mini Changes Everything for Mobile Creators and How Sora’s Android Launch Changes Mobile Content Creation.
