Formatting Issues

How to Remove and Prevent Random Box Lines in Word

Huda Qurayshi Oct 8, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove stubborn horizontal lines or box borders that appear automatically in their document and cannot be deleted normally.

How to Remove and Prevent Random Box Lines in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: When typing specific characters like hyphens or asterisks and pressing Enter, random horizontal lines or box borders automatically generate in the document.
Observed behavior: Unexpected horizontal border lines or box borders appear in the document layout, and they cannot be removed using the standard Backspace or Delete keys.

Before you start

Identify whether the line is an inserted shape or a paragraph border. If you cannot click directly on the line to select it, it is most likely a paragraph border created by the AutoFormat feature.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Existing Paragraph Borders

Use this solution to eliminate the horizontal lines or boxes that are already present in your document.

Because these lines are formatted as paragraph borders rather than typed characters, the Backspace or Delete key will not remove them. You must adjust the border settings for the specific paragraph.

Select the affected paragraph

Click anywhere inside the text or paragraph immediately above the unwanted horizontal line.

Open the Borders menu

Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon. In the Paragraph group, locate the Borders icon (it looks like a grid or window box).

Remove the border

Click the small dropdown arrow next to the Borders icon and select 'No Border' from the list. The horizontal line will instantly disappear.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple lines throughout the document, you can select all the text (Ctrl + A) and apply 'No Border' to remove them all at once.

Solution 2

Disable AutoFormat Border Lines

Change your settings to prevent Word from automatically creating new horizontal lines when you type hyphens, underscores, or asterisks.

Manage Document Formatting Effortlessly with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive word processor that makes managing paragraph borders, automatic formatting, and complex page layouts simple and stress-free. Easily fix formatting issues while enjoying full compatibility with Microsoft Office files.

1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the document containing the unwanted horizontal lines.
2. Remove the unwanted borders: Select the text just above the line, navigate to the Home tab, click the 'Borders' dropdown, and choose 'No Border'.
3. Disable automatic lines: Go to Menu > Options > Edit, and adjust your AutoCorrect and AutoFormat settings to prevent lines from appearing in the future.

Easily toggle AutoFormat features on and off in a clean, user-friendly interface.Highly compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.doc, .docx).Free and lightweight word processor that prevents unexpected layout shifts.Seamless migration of all your existing templates and documents.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do horizontal lines appear when I type hyphens?

Typing three or more consecutive hyphens, underscores, or asterisks and pressing Enter triggers the 'AutoFormat As You Type' feature, which converts those characters into a solid, double, or dotted bottom border for that paragraph.

Can I remove the line using the Delete key?

No. Because the line is applied as a paragraph formatting attribute (a border) rather than a typed character, standard deletion keys will not work. You must use the Borders menu and select 'No Border'.

Are these random box lines visible when printing the document?

Yes, paragraph borders are part of the document's formal layout and formatting. They will appear on printed pages and in exported PDFs unless you remove them.

Will disabling AutoFormat remove existing lines?

No, changing the AutoFormat settings only prevents new lines from being created automatically when you type. Existing lines must be removed manually using the Borders menu.

Document & File Issues