Formatting Issues

How to Remove an Unwanted Line at the End of a Word Document

Emma Brown Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a stubborn, unselectable line appearing at the end of a Word document.

How to Remove an Unwanted Line at the End of a Word Document

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Finalizing or formatting a document when a persistent, undeletable line appears at the bottom.
Observed behavior: A non-printing or unselectable line is visible at the end of the document and cannot be deleted using the standard Backspace or Delete keys.

Before you start

Create a backup copy of your document before applying advanced troubleshooting steps like VBA scripts to prevent any accidental data loss.

Solution 1

Verify the End of Document Marker in Draft View

Sometimes the line is just a visual indicator in Draft view that will not appear in the printed or exported document.

Switch to Draft View

Navigate to the View tab on the top ribbon and select 'Draft' from the Views group.

Inspect the Line

Check if the line is simply the End of Document marker. This marker is normal in Draft view.

Return to Print Layout

Switch back to 'Print Layout' in the View tab. If the line disappears, it was just the visual marker and will not print.

Solution 2Recommended

Remove Corrupted Footnote Separators Using VBA

If the line is a damaged footnote separator missing its corresponding number, you can force-delete it using a quick VBA command.

Solution 3

Clear Unwanted Paragraph Borders

The line could be a bottom paragraph border automatically applied by AutoFormat rather than a footnote or page break.

Seamless Document Formatting

Easily Manage Layouts and Formatting in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface to handle paragraph borders, footnotes, and tricky formatting issues without needing complex VBA codes.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and open your document in WPS Writer.
2. Check Formatting Marks: Click the 'Show/Hide Editing Marks' icon on the Home tab to reveal hidden line breaks and paragraph borders.
3. Remove Footnotes or Borders: Navigate to the References tab to easily manage footnotes, or use the Home tab to clear unwanted paragraph borders with a single click.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Intuitive interface for easy footnote and border managementFree and lightweight alternative to heavy office suitesClear Print Layout view prevents visual marker confusion

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a solid line appear when I press Enter after typing dashes?

The AutoFormat feature automatically converts three or more hyphens into a paragraph border. You can undo this immediately by pressing Ctrl+Z or remove it later via the Borders menu on the Home tab.

Will the End of Document line show up when I print?

No, the End of Document line visible in Draft view is strictly a visual marker for editing purposes and will never appear on printed pages or exported PDFs.

How do I normally delete a footnote separator without VBA?

Switch to Draft view, go to the References tab, click Show Notes, select 'Footnote Separator' from the dropdown menu in the notes pane, highlight the separator line, and press the Delete key.

Can I disable the automatic border lines from appearing in the future?

Yes. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Under the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck 'Border lines' to stop the software from automatically converting dashes into lines.

Document & File Issues