Formatting Issues

How to Remove Blue Boxes Around Paragraphs in Microsoft Word

WPS Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to eliminate unexpected blue boxes that appear around paragraphs when pasting text or altering layouts in Microsoft Word.

How to Remove Blue Boxes Around Paragraphs in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Pasting formatted text from web pages or external sources into a document.
Observed behavior: Blue boxes or borders surround specific paragraphs, sometimes causing unintended formatting issues or unexpected page breaks.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, open the Print Preview (Ctrl+P) to see if the blue boxes appear on paper. If they do not print, they are likely non-printing layout indicators rather than paragraph borders.

Solution 1Recommended

Use 'Keep Text Only' When Pasting

Pasting text from web pages often carries over hidden HTML tables or CSS boxes. Pasting without formatting resolves this instantly.

By default, Word attempts to preserve the source formatting of pasted content. Switching to unformatted text ensures only the raw text is imported into your document's current layout.

Copy the Source Text

Highlight the text you want to bring into Word from your browser or external program and press Ctrl+C.

Paste as Unformatted Text

Right-click the exact spot in your Word document where you want the text to go. Under the Paste Options menu, click the icon featuring a clipboard with a large 'A' (Keep Text Only).

Clear Existing Formatting

If you have already pasted the text and see the blue box, select the affected paragraph. Navigate to the Home tab and click the 'Clear All Formatting' button (an 'A' with a pink eraser) to remove the invisible container.

Pro Tip: You can set 'Keep Text Only' as your default pasting option by going to File > Options > Advanced, and changing the settings under 'Cut, copy, and paste'.

Solution 2

Remove Content Controls and Borders

If the blue box has a small tab on the edge or behaves like a border, it might be a Content Control box or a paragraph border.

Edit Word Files Seamlessly

Avoid Pasting Glitches with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides a robust, clutter-free environment for handling text documents. It allows you to paste web content cleanly and clear stubborn formatting with a single click.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file.
2. Use Paste Special: Right-click anywhere on the page and select 'Keep Text Only' to bring in text without external formatting.
3. Clear Existing Layouts: Highlight any paragraph enclosed in a blue box, go to the Home tab, and click the Clear Formatting icon.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) documentsIntuitive Paste Special options to prevent web formatting from breaking your layoutOne-click 'Clear Formatting' tool to instantly remove unwanted blue boxes and bordersFree and lightweight office suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do blue boxes appear when I paste from the internet?

When copying from web pages, you often capture invisible HTML table structures or CSS division boxes. Word attempts to convert these into text containers or paragraph borders, which display as blue boxes.

Will these blue boxes show up when I print the document?

It depends on the cause. If the blue box is a non-printing layout boundary (like text limits), it will not print. If it is an applied paragraph border or a drawn shape, it will print. Always check File > Print to view the print preview.

Could the blue box be a floating text box?

Yes. If the text is contained within a drawing object, it might have a visible border. You can click the border of the box and press the Delete key to remove it, but be sure to copy your text out of the box first.

Document & File Issues