Document Editing Problems

How to Remove All Content Controls from a Word Document

Muhammad Talha Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove multiple content control boxes from a shared document to make collaborative editing easier.

How to Remove All Content Controls from a Word Document

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on a Word document where existing content controls are getting in the way of standard text editing.
Observed behavior: Content control boxes inserted by other editors clutter the document, restricting easy text modification and complicating the shared editing process.

Before you start

Before running any VBA macro, be sure to save a backup copy of your Word document so you do not accidentally lose important text if the macro modifies unintended areas.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a VBA Macro to Delete Content Controls

Run a customized VBA script to quickly iterate through your active document and remove all content controls automatically.

If users frequently add content controls that you cannot prevent, a VBA macro is the most efficient way to clear them out en masse. You can customize the macro to either delete the text along with the control, or preserve the text while only removing the control box.

Open the VBA Editor

Open your Word document and press ALT + F11 on your keyboard to launch the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

Insert a New Module

In the VBA editor, click on 'Insert' in the top menu bar and select 'Module' to create a new standard module.

Paste the Macro Code

Copy and paste the following code into the module window: Sub DeleteAllContentControls() Dim i On Error Resume Next With ActiveDocument.ContentControls For i = .Count To 1 Step -1 'Remove the next line to keep the control contents. .Item(i).Range.Delete .Item(i).Delete Next i End With End Sub

Customize the Deletion Method

By default, the line '.Item(i).Range.Delete' removes the text inside the control. If you want to keep the text and only remove the interactive box, delete or comment out that specific line before proceeding.

Run the Macro

Press F5 on your keyboard or click the green 'Run' button on the toolbar to execute the macro. All content controls will be instantly removed from your active document.

Use a VBA Macro to Delete Content Controls

Macro Compatibility: This macro works perfectly in Word for Windows and should also function in Word for Mac. If placed in a standard module, it can delete content controls across headers, footers, text boxes, and canvas objects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prevent other editors from inserting content controls?

Generally, you cannot prevent others from adding content controls unless you utilize Word's 'Restrict Editing' feature to limit what users can do in the shared document.

What is the difference between deleting a content control and its contents?

Deleting the control merely removes the interactive box, leaving the text inside intact. Deleting the contents removes both the box and any text or data contained within it.

Will this macro work on controls inside headers and footers?

Yes, if the macro is set up in a standard VBA project module, it can be designed to iterate through all objects in the document, including headers, footers, and text boxes.

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