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How to Display the Invisible Word Joiner Character in Word
Question details
The user needs to locate and display the Word Joiner (U+2060), which is normally a nonprinting and completely invisible character.
- Product
- Word Processing Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Diagnosing document formatting issues where an invisible Word Joiner might be affecting text layout or line breaking.
- Observed behavior
- The Word Joiner character remains invisible under standard display settings, making it difficult to identify or remove.
Since revealing the Word Joiner requires temporarily changing your document's font, it is highly recommended to save a backup copy of your document to prevent accidentally printing diagnostic substitute glyphs.
Use a Substitute Font to Reveal the Word Joiner
Apply a specialized font that forces the normally invisible Unicode character (U+2060) to render as a visible marker, such as an empty box or a [WJ] symbol.
Because the Word Joiner is technically a nonprinting character (code point 8288), standard document display settings will not reveal it. This diagnostic workaround relies on certain fonts that lack standard blank mappings for this character, forcing them to display a placeholder glyph.
Highlight the specific paragraph or press Ctrl+A to select the entire document where you suspect the invisible Word Joiner is located.
Navigate to the Home tab and change the font to one known to display missing glyph boxes for hidden Unicode characters (e.g., specialized terminal fonts or older system fonts).
Carefully scan your document for an empty square box or a [WJ] marker. This indicates the exact location of the Word Joiner character.
Once identified or deleted, immediately change your text back to the original standard font. If you do not revert the font, the visible substitute glyphs may actually print on your final physical document.
Easily Handle Hidden Characters with WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers precise control over document formatting, typography, and complex Unicode characters. Use its advanced Find and Replace features and extensive font support to track down layout anomalies effortlessly.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the hidden Word Joiner characters.
- 2. Use Advanced Find: Press Ctrl+H to open the Find and Replace dialog box, where you can utilize special character tools to search for hidden elements.
- 3. Adjust Fonts Temporarily: Highlight your text and use the Font dropdown in the Home tab to switch fonts for diagnostic purposes, easily reverting back when finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Word Joiner (U+2060) character used for?
The Word Joiner is a zero-width non-breaking character used to prevent a line break between two characters without adding any visible space between them.
Will the 'Show/Hide Formatting Marks' button reveal the Word Joiner?
No. Unlike standard spaces, paragraph marks, or traditional non-breaking spaces, the Word Joiner (U+2060) remains invisible even when formatting marks are toggled on. You must use the font-substitution workaround to see it.
How can I remove a Word Joiner if I cannot easily see it?
You can carefully copy the invisible space between the affected words where you suspect the Word Joiner is located, paste it into the 'Find what' field in the Find and Replace dialog (Ctrl+H), leave the 'Replace with' field blank, and click 'Replace All'.
