Formatting Issues

How to Remove Bold Lines Around Word List Numbers

Guest Writer Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to remove unexpected bold lines that appear above and below list numbers in a Word document.

How to Remove Bold Lines Around Word List Numbers

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a numbered or bulleted list in a document.
Observed behavior: Unwanted bold lines or paragraph borders are appearing directly above and below the list numbers.

Before you start

Before changing the formatting, check if these lines appear in a single document or across all new documents to determine whether the issue is tied to a specific paragraph setting or your default document template.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Unwanted Paragraph Borders

Most unexpected lines around text or lists are caused by paragraph borders being accidentally applied.

Microsoft Word often applies paragraph borders through AutoFormat or accidental clicks. Removing these borders is the quickest way to clear the bold lines.

Select the Affected Paragraph

Highlight the entire list or paragraph that contains the unwanted bold lines.

Open Border Settings

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon. In the Paragraph group, locate the 'Borders' icon.

Apply No Border

Click the drop-down arrow next to the Borders icon and select 'No Border' from the menu. The bold lines should immediately disappear.

Instant Fix: Selecting 'No Border' instantly removes any direct paragraph boundaries surrounding your list without altering the text.

Solution 2

Clear and Reapply List Formatting

If removing borders doesn't work, the issue may be embedded in a specific list style or template.

WPS Writer

Easily Manage List Formatting in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface to seamlessly manage paragraph formatting and list styles without unexpected formatting glitches. It is a highly compatible and free alternative for all your document editing needs.

1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your Word document in WPS Writer.
2. Select the Text: Highlight the numbered list that displays the unwanted bold lines.
3. Remove Borders: Navigate to the Home tab, click the Outside Borders drop-down icon in the Paragraph section, and choose 'No Border'.
4. Adjust Numbering Styles: Use the Numbering tool on the Home tab to easily customize your list style without any hidden formatting carrying over.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive paragraph and border controlsClean formatting options with no hidden styling glitchesFree to use and lightweight on system resources

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do bold lines appear when I type a number in Word?

Word's AutoFormat feature sometimes interprets certain characters or list patterns as a command to insert a paragraph border line. This can happen if you type three dashes or underscores and hit Enter.

Can I stop Word from automatically creating borders?

Yes, you can disable this behavior. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Under the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck the 'Border lines' box.

Does this formatting issue mean my document template is corrupted?

Not necessarily. It usually just means a specific paragraph style in the Normal template has borders applied. Modifying the style to 'No Border' typically fixes it for all future documents.

Document & File Issues