Document Editing Problems

How to Remove an Unexpected Table of Contents or Form Control in Word

Amos Gikunda Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to remove unwanted elements in a document that appear to be a table of contents or visible form-control handles.

How to Remove an Unexpected Table of Contents or Form Control in Word

Product: Microsoft Word / WPS Writer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a text document where unexpected formatting structures, headers, or interactive handles suddenly disrupt the layout.
Observed behavior: The document displays unintended table of contents elements with page numbers, or bracketed form-control handles that are visible during the editing process.

Before you start

Before you begin, click on the unexpected elements to check their behavior; a Table of Contents highlights as a large text block, whereas form controls often display as individual bracketed tags.

Solution 1Recommended

Turn Off Design Mode to Hide Form Controls

If the unexpected elements are form-control handles, disabling Design Mode in the Developer tab will instantly hide them.

Form controls are used for creating fillable documents. When Design Mode is left active, these controls display structural tags or handles that can look like formatting errors.

Enable the Developer Tab

If the Developer tab is not visible, click on 'File', select 'Options', and choose 'Customize Ribbon'. In the right column, check the box for 'Developer' and click 'OK'.

Access the Developer Tab

Click the newly added 'Developer' tab on the top ribbon of your Word application.

Toggle Off Design Mode

Locate the 'Controls' group and click on 'Design Mode' to turn it off. The form-control handles will immediately disappear, leaving only the standard document text.

Turn Off Design Mode to Hide Form Controls

Controls Hidden: Turning off Design Mode does not delete the form controls; it simply switches the document back to user mode so it reads normally.

Solution 2

Remove a Genuine Table of Contents

If the document actually contains an unintended table of contents rather than form controls, use the References tab to delete it safely.

Document Editing Solutions

Manage Document Controls and TOCs Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a seamless and highly compatible document editing experience. Whether you need to remove an unexpected Table of Contents or toggle Design Mode for form controls, WPS Writer's intuitive interface makes document formatting effortless.

1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the unwanted elements.
2. Remove the Table of Contents: Go to the 'References' tab, click on 'Table of Contents', and select 'Remove Table of Contents'.
3. Enable Developer Tools: If you are dealing with form controls, go to 'Menu' > 'Options' > 'Customize Ribbon' and check the 'Developer' tab to enable it.
4. Disable Design Mode: Click the 'Developer' tab on the ribbon and click 'Design Mode' to turn it off and hide the form control structures.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) documents and formatting.Easily manage, update, or remove a Table of Contents with a single click.Built-in Developer tools for professional form control and document design.Lightweight software that loads quickly and operates smoothly.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Developer tab missing from my ribbon?

By default, the Developer tab is hidden in most word processors to keep the user interface clean for standard editing. You can easily enable it by navigating to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, and checking the box next to 'Developer' in the Main Tabs list.

What is Design Mode used for in Word documents?

Design Mode is a feature used primarily for creating and modifying interactive document forms. When activated, it reveals the structural boundaries and properties of form controls (like checkboxes, text fields, and dropdowns) so you can edit them directly.

Will removing the Table of Contents delete my document headings?

No. Removing a Table of Contents using the 'Remove Table of Contents' command only deletes the generated index and associated page numbers. Your actual document content and heading styles will remain completely untouched.

Document & File Issues