Printing Problems

How to Hide Content Control Placeholder Text When Printing in Word

Jason Miller Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to print a form document containing content controls without the default placeholder text appearing on the printed page, while keeping any user-entered content visible.

How to Hide Content Control Placeholder Text When Printing

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a completed or partially completed form document with fillable fields.
Observed behavior: Default placeholder text such as 'Click or tap to enter text' or 'Date' prints out on the paper when the fields are left blank by the user.

Before you start

Ensure the Developer tab is enabled in your ribbon menu, as you will need it to access and modify the content control properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear or Edit Placeholder Text Using Design Mode

Manually remove or replace the default placeholder text using the Developer tab so it does not appear on printed copies.

The simplest way to prevent placeholder text from printing is to delete it or replace it with blank spaces using Design Mode. This ensures that empty form fields will simply appear as blank areas on the printed page.

Enable the Developer Tab

If the Developer tab is not visible, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Check the box next to 'Developer' in the right-hand column and click OK.

Turn on Design Mode

Navigate to the Developer tab on the ribbon and click on 'Design Mode'.

Edit the Content Control

Click inside the content control where the placeholder text is located. Delete the text (e.g., 'Click or tap to enter text') and leave it blank, or type a space.

Exit Design Mode

Click 'Design Mode' again to toggle it off. Empty fields will now appear blank and will not print any placeholder text.

Clear or Edit Placeholder Text Using Design Mode

Tip: If you want to keep the instructional text visible for users filling out the form electronically but hidden during printing, consider formatting the placeholder text as 'Hidden' font.

Solution 2

Format Placeholder Text as Hidden

Apply the 'Hidden' font attribute to the placeholder text so it remains visible on-screen but does not print.

Easily Manage Form Fields and Print with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides comprehensive form building tools and advanced print settings, allowing you to easily handle content controls, hide placeholders, and ensure professional document printing.

1. Open Your Form: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx form document.
2. Access the Developer Tools: Click on the Developer tab in the top ribbon menu. If it's not visible, enable it from the settings menu.
3. Modify Form Fields: Click 'Design Mode' to easily select and clear the placeholder text in your form fields.
4. Preview and Print: Go to Menu > Print > Print Preview to verify that the placeholder text is no longer visible, then proceed to print.

Full compatibility with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Intuitive Developer tab for easy form creation and content control managementAdvanced print preview options to ensure exact paper output before printingLightweight, fast, and free to download

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I show the Developer tab?

To display the Developer tab, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the list of main tabs on the right, check the box next to 'Developer' and click OK.

Will hiding placeholder text affect the data entered by users?

No, editing or hiding the placeholder text in Design Mode only changes the empty state of the form field. Once a user types their own data into the field, their entered text will print normally.

Can I make placeholder text visible on screen but invisible when printing?

Yes. You can enter Design Mode, select the placeholder text, and apply the 'Hidden' font effect (Ctrl+D). Then, ensure that 'Print hidden text' is unchecked in your application's Display/Print options. For automated toggling, some advanced users utilize VBA macros.

Document & File Issues