Formatting Issues

How to Fix Text Disappearing Near Footnotes in Word

Amos Gikunda Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to restore text that becomes invisible around footnote markers when the Show/Hide nonprinting characters setting is toggled off.

How to Restore Text That Disappears Near Footnotes in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting documents with footnotes and toggling the display of nonprinting characters.
Observed behavior: Text near the footnote marker disappears when nonprinting characters are hidden, indicating it has been inadvertently formatted as hidden text.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, toggle the 'Show/Hide ¶' button on the Home tab to see if the text reappears, which confirms it is a hidden formatting issue rather than accidentally deleted text.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Hidden Text Formatting via the Font Dialog Box

The most common reason for text disappearing when nonprinting characters are hidden is that the text itself has been accidentally formatted with the 'Hidden' attribute.

Hidden text is a formatting attribute in Word, just like bold or italics. When the 'Show/Hide ¶' option is turned on, hidden text is revealed with a dotted underline. When turned off, the text completely vanishes from the document layout.

Toggle Show/Hide to Reveal Text

Go to the Home tab and click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button (or press Ctrl+*) to reveal the missing text.

Select the Affected Text

Highlight the text near the footnote marker that previously disappeared.

Open Font Settings

Right-click the selected text and choose 'Font' from the context menu, or press Ctrl+D to open the Font dialog box.

Uncheck the Hidden Option

In the Effects section of the Font dialog box, locate the checkbox labeled 'Hidden' and clear it so it is completely empty.

Apply and Verify

Click OK to apply the changes. Toggle the 'Show/Hide ¶' button again to ensure the text now remains visible.

Remove Hidden Text Formatting via the Font Dialog Box

Formatting Restored: The text should now remain visible regardless of whether nonprinting characters are displayed in your document.

Edit Word Documents Seamlessly

Fix Formatting Issues Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a highly compatible and intuitive word processor that makes managing advanced formatting, such as footnotes and hidden text, straightforward and hassle-free.

1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the disappearing text.
2. Show Editing Marks: Click the 'Show/Hide Editing Marks' icon in the Home tab to reveal any hidden text.
3. Select and Right-Click: Select the affected text near the footnote, right-click, and choose 'Font'.
4. Remove Hidden Attribute: In the Effects section, uncheck the 'Hidden' box, then click 'OK' and save your document.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formatsIntuitive Font and Formatting panels to easily manage hidden textLightweight and fast for seamless document editingFree to use with a familiar user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my text have a dotted underline when I show nonprinting characters?

A dotted underline beneath text in Word indicates that the text is formatted as 'Hidden'. This text will not print or display when editing marks are turned off.

Can hidden text affect my footnote numbering?

Yes, if a footnote reference marker itself is formatted as hidden text, the corresponding footnote may disappear from the bottom of the page, and your document's subsequent footnote numbering sequence will adjust accordingly.

How do I prevent text from accidentally being formatted as hidden?

Avoid inadvertently using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+H, which instantly applies the hidden text format to your current selection. You can quickly clear any unwanted formatting by selecting the text and pressing Ctrl+Space.

Document & File Issues