Formatting Issues

Fix Word First Line Incorrect Right Margin or Cut Off Text

Camila Milosovich Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The first line of text on every page in a Word document is truncated on the right side, cutting off words by about half an inch.

How to Fix Word First Line Cut Off or Incorrect Right Margin

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing or printing a multi-page document.
Observed behavior: The right margin on the first line of every page is incorrect, causing the final word or text to be visually cut off or hidden.

Before you start

Ensure your document is set to Print Layout view so you can accurately see headers, margins, and the exact position of the cut-off text.

Solution 1Recommended

Find and Delete Hidden Objects in the Header

This issue is frequently caused by a transparent text box or shape in the header that overlaps with the main document body, obscuring the first line of text.

Because headers repeat on every page, an invisible object anchored to the header will hide the exact same area on all pages.

Open Header Area

Double-click the blank header area at the top of any page in your document to enter the Header & Footer editing mode.

Locate Hidden Object

Click in the blank space on the right side where the first line of text is being cut off.

Delete the Object

If selection handles appear, you have selected an invisible text box or shape. Press the Delete key on your keyboard to remove it.

Verify Fix

Double-click in the main document body to close the header mode and confirm that the previously hidden text is now fully visible.

Find and Delete Hidden Objects in the Header

Alternative Method: If you cannot click the invisible object directly, use the Selection Pane (Home > Select > Selection Pane) to easily find and delete hidden objects.

Solution 2

Check for Unaccountable Paragraph Indentation

The right margin issue may be caused by an accidental right indent applied specifically to the first paragraph style.

Advanced Document Formatting

Fix Layout and Formatting Issues Smoothly with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive Writer application that is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents. You can easily manage headers, footers, and hidden objects without layout glitches.

1. Open Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your problematic document.
2. Access Header: Double-click the header area at the top of the page to enter edit mode.
3. Remove Obstructions: Click the right side of the header to select the hidden transparent shape and press Delete.
4. Save Document: Save your perfectly formatted document directly in the standard .docx format.

Easily manage headers, footers, and floating objects to prevent text overlap.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx).Clean and intuitive interface for adjusting margins and paragraph indents.Lightweight and completely free for basic editing needs.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my text only cut off on the first line of every page?

This usually happens when a shape or text box anchored in the document header overlaps the main text area. Since headers repeat on every page, the overlap consistently affects the same spot on every single page.

How do I find invisible objects in my Word document?

Go to the Home tab, click on 'Select' in the Editing group, and choose 'Selection Pane'. This pane lists all objects on the current page, allowing you to easily select and delete hidden or transparent shapes.

Can page margin settings cause the right side of the text to be cut off?

Yes. If your right margin is set too narrow or if the paragraph has a negative right indent, the text may extend beyond the printable area. Checking the Page Setup and Paragraph settings can help verify if this is the cause.

Document & File Issues