Formatting Issues

Fix Text Spreading Out While Typing in Word and Outlook

Khadija Khan Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users report that typing in Word or Outlook causes the text below the cursor to separate with extra line breaks, one character at a time.

Product: Microsoft Word and Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing or editing text in a document or email.
Observed behavior: Text visually spreads out and becomes separated by extra spaces or line breaks during typing.

Before you start

Before modifying any settings, verify whether the issue permanently alters your document's formatting or if it is merely a temporary visual display glitch on your monitor.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Nonprinting Marks to Diagnose the Issue

Revealing hidden formatting marks helps you determine if actual line breaks are being added to the document or if it is a display rendering error.

Often, display bugs mimic formatting errors. By making paragraph marks visible, you can accurately identify whether the document structure is changing.

Open the Home Tab

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the main ribbon in Microsoft Word or Outlook.

Enable Nonprinting Characters

Click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button located in the Paragraph group.

Analyze the Document

Check if paragraph marks (¶) appear in the newly created gaps between your text. If they do not, the problem is a display glitch rather than a formatting change.

Use Nonprinting Marks to Diagnose the Issue

Provide Evidence for Support: If the issue persists, taking a screenshot with nonprinting marks enabled can help Microsoft support teams investigate the software defect.

Solution 2

Update Office and Video Drivers

Since this is a known bug often related to display rendering, updating your software and drivers can resolve the conflict.

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Avoid Typing Glitches with WPS Office

If you are tired of waiting for a bug fix in Microsoft Word and Outlook, switch to WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight, and highly compatible word processing environment without unexpected display or formatting errors.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation file.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents seamlessly to continue working without text spacing issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Outlook text formatsStable and lightweight performance without visual typing bugsFree to use with an intuitive, familiar user interfaceSeamless migration of all your existing documents

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does text spread out automatically when I type in Word?

This issue is often caused by a temporary display glitch, a conflict with your computer's video driver, or a known software defect in a recent Microsoft Office update.

How can I tell if the document is permanently changed by this bug?

You can turn on nonprinting formatting marks by clicking the Show/Hide ¶ icon on the Home tab. If actual paragraph breaks exist in the gaps, the document is modified; otherwise, it is just a visual rendering error.

Will reinstalling Office fix the extra line breaks while typing?

If the issue stems from a current software bug awaiting an official patch from Microsoft, reinstalling the same version may not help. Updating to the latest version or updating your video driver is recommended instead.

Document & File Issues