Formatting Issues

Fix Footnote Separator Lines Returning in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Extra footnote separator lines or spaces reappear after being removed in Draft view when the document is refreshed or returned to Print view.

How to Fix Footnote Separator Lines Reappearing in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Deleting extra spaces or separator lines from footnotes in Draft view, but finding that the changes do not save when switching back to Print Layout.
Observed behavior: The deleted footnote separator lines or blank spaces automatically return when the document layout is refreshed or switched to Print Layout view.

Before you start

Before attempting to fix this issue, make sure to save a copy of your document to prevent any accidental loss of your footnotes during the troubleshooting process.

Solution 1Recommended

Reattach or Update the Document Template

This solution refreshes the document's underlying formatting rules, which often fixes stubborn template glitches that cause deleted separators to return.

Often, Word documents become corrupted or out of sync with their attached template (.dotm). Re-uploading or reattaching the template forces Word to apply the correct style definitions, preventing deleted footnote lines from reappearing.

Enable the Developer Tab

If the Developer tab is not visible, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, check the 'Developer' box in the right column, and click OK.

Access Document Templates

Navigate to the Developer tab on the ribbon and click on 'Document Template' in the Templates group.

Reattach the Template

In the Templates and Add-ins dialog box, click 'Attach...', navigate to your original template (often Normal.dotm), select it, and click Open.

Update Styles

Check the box that says 'Automatically update document styles' and click OK to refresh the document's formatting.

Reattach or Update the Document Template

Template Reattached: After reattaching the template, delete the separator in Draft view again. The changes should now persist in Print Layout view.

Solution 2

Remove Both Footnote Separator and Continuation Separator

Sometimes the line returning is actually the 'Continuation Separator' rather than the standard Footnote Separator. Deleting both ensures all hidden lines are removed.

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1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free version, and follow the simple installation instructions.
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3. Manage Footnotes Seamlessly: Go to the References tab in WPS Writer to add, modify, or seamlessly manage your footnotes without recurring separator bugs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the footnote separator line keep coming back in Word?

This usually happens because the document's template styles override your local changes upon refreshing, or because you deleted the standard footnote separator but missed the 'Footnote Continuation Separator', which looks identical.

How do I view and edit footnote separators?

You must switch to Draft View (View > Draft), then go to References > Show Notes. A pane will appear at the bottom where you can use the dropdown menu to select and edit the Footnote Separator.

Will reattaching the Normal.dotm template delete my document text?

No, reattaching a template only refreshes the underlying style guidelines and formatting rules (like heading styles and footnote separators). It will not delete or alter the actual body text of your document.

Document & File Issues