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How to Remove Arrows After Bullets or Numbers in Word
Question details
The user wants to remove or hide the small right-pointing arrows that display immediately after bullet points or numbered lists in their document.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a document with bulleted or numbered lists and finding distracting arrow symbols between the numbers and the text.
- Observed behavior
- Right-pointing arrows are visible on the screen after list identifiers. These are nonprinting tab characters used to align list text.
Keep in mind that these right-pointing arrows are nonprinting formatting marks representing tab spaces; they will not appear when you print the document or export it as a PDF.
Toggle Formatting Marks via the Ribbon
The quickest way to hide tab arrows and other nonprinting marks is to use the Show/Hide toggle button on the main toolbar.
Word uses nonprinting characters to show you where spaces, paragraphs, and tabs exist in your document. The arrow you see is simply a visual representation of the tab space generated by the bullet or numbering system.
Open your document and navigate to the **Home** tab on the top ribbon.
Look for the **Paragraph** section within the Home toolbar.
Click the **Show/Hide ¶** button (it looks like a paragraph symbol). This will instantly toggle off the visibility of all nonprinting characters, including the tab arrows.
Disable Tab Characters in Display Options
If the Show/Hide button does not remove the arrows, your application may be configured to always display tab characters on the screen.
Easily Manage Formatting Marks with WPS Writer
WPS Office provides an intuitive and clean interface to manage your document formatting. You can easily toggle nonprinting characters like tab arrows on or off, and enjoy full compatibility with Microsoft Word files.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the numbered or bulleted lists.
- 2. Go to the Home Tab: Click on the **Home** tab in the main navigation ribbon.
- 3. Toggle Show/Hide Editing Marks: Click the **Show/Hide Editing Marks** icon in the Paragraph section to hide the tab arrows.
- 4. Adjust Advanced View Options: If the arrows remain, click **Menu** > **Options** > **View**, and uncheck 'Tab characters' under Formatting marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the arrows after my bullet points show up when I print the document?
No. The right-pointing arrows are nonprinting formatting marks that represent tab spaces. They only serve as a visual guide while you are editing on-screen and will never appear on the printed page or in an exported PDF.
Why do these right-pointing arrows appear in the first place?
The arrows visually represent 'Tab' characters. When you create a bulleted or numbered list, the word processor automatically inserts a tab space between the bullet symbol and your text to ensure the list aligns perfectly.
Can I remove the tab space completely instead of just hiding the arrow?
Yes. Right-click your list and select 'Adjust List Indents'. From the dialog box, look for the 'Follow number with' option and change it from 'Tab character' to 'Space' or 'Nothing'. This will alter the spacing structure and completely remove the tab.
Why didn't the Show/Hide button hide the arrows?
If toggling the Show/Hide button doesn't remove the arrows, your software settings are likely forcing tab characters to always display. You must go to File > Options > Display and specifically uncheck the 'Tab characters' option.
