How to Delete Stubborn Lines That Keep Reappearing in Word
Question details
The user needs to permanently remove horizontal lines that persistently reappear across multiple pages in a Word document.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a multi-page document where unwanted horizontal lines show up and cannot be deleted using the standard backspace key.
- Observed behavior
- Deleting what appears to be underscored text does not remove the lines; instead, they reappear, indicating they are likely anchored shapes, paragraph borders, or header elements.
Before attempting to delete the lines, click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button on your Home tab to display hidden formatting marks. This will help you easily identify whether the line is a paragraph border, regular text, or a floating shape.
Remove Lines Anchored in the Header
Objects anchored in the header or footer area will automatically duplicate on every single page of your document.
If a line appears in the exact same position on multiple pages, it is most likely a graphic or shape that has been accidentally placed inside the document's header or footer.
Double-click anywhere near the top margin of the page to activate the Header & Footer view.
Hover your cursor over the repeating line or shape until your pointer changes to a multi-directional arrow, then click to select the object.
Press the 'Delete' or 'Backspace' key on your keyboard to completely remove the line.
Double-click anywhere in the main body text of your document to exit the header view and verify the line is gone from all pages.
Remove Automatic Paragraph Borders
Typing multiple underscores or hyphens and pressing Enter often creates an automatic paragraph border that acts like an unremovable line.
Select and Delete Hidden Shapes
Sometimes lines are actually drawn shapes formatted to sit behind or in front of your text, making them difficult to click.
Seamlessly Manage and Edit Word Documents with WPS Office
WPS Office Writer provides highly intuitive tools to easily handle formatting issues, stubborn borders, and headers, ensuring your documents look exactly as intended without the frustration.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open the document containing the stubborn lines.
- 2. Remove Header Lines: Double-click the top margin to enter Header/Footer mode, select the repeating line, and press Delete.
- 3. Clear Paragraph Borders: To remove a border line, click just above it, go to the Home tab, and choose 'No Border' from the Borders dropdown menu.
- 4. Save with Compatibility: Save your perfectly formatted document in .docx format to maintain full compatibility across all word processors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does pressing Enter after typing underscores create a solid line?
This happens due to an AutoFormat feature found in most word processors. When you type three or more underscores, hyphens, or asterisks and press Enter, the software automatically converts them into a solid paragraph border to help you format quickly.
How can I stop Word from automatically creating horizontal lines?
You can disable this feature by navigating to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Under the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck the box labeled 'Border lines', then click OK.
What if the unremovable line is located at the very bottom of the page?
If a persistent line appears at the bottom margin of every page, it is likely anchored in the Footer rather than the Header. Double-click the bottom margin to open the Footer workspace, select the line, and delete it from there.
