Formatting Issues

How to Remove Content Control Boxes from Word Track Changes

Muhammad Talha Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to remove unwanted formatting boxes, identified as content controls, that appear in a Word document when Track Changes is enabled.

How to Remove Content Control Boxes in Word Track Changes

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing and editing a document with Track Changes enabled, particularly after converting the file from Google Docs or another external application.
Observed behavior: Rectangular boxes with a three-dot indicator appear around text in the document. Track Changes makes these conversion-related formatting anomalies more visible.

Before you start

Verify the document's conversion history to see if it originated from Google Docs or another word processor, and check if your document template contains built-in form fields.

Solution 1Recommended

Recreate the Affected Content in a New Word Document

Transferring the affected text into a fresh native Word document is the most effective way to strip out cross-application formatting anomalies.

Converting documents between programs like Google Docs and Microsoft Word can introduce hidden formatting elements. Track Changes often makes these elements more noticeable, even though it does not create them.

Open a new document

Launch Word and create a new, blank document by clicking on 'File' and selecting 'New'.

Copy the original text

Go to the affected document, highlight the text containing the unwanted content control boxes, and press Ctrl+C to copy it.

Paste without formatting

Navigate to the new document, right-click on the page, and choose the 'Keep Text Only' icon under Paste Options to strip away the content controls.

Verify Track Changes

Go to the 'Review' tab, turn on 'Track Changes', and verify that the formatting boxes no longer appear.

Recreate the Affected Content in a New Word Document

Formatting Reset Complete: By pasting as plain text, you successfully remove cross-application artifacts while retaining the core content of your document.

Solution 2

Manually Remove Content Controls

If only a few content controls appear in the document, you can manually delete the bounding boxes without deleting your text.

Seamless Document Editing

Easily Manage and Format Documents with WPS Writer

Avoid cross-platform formatting issues by using WPS Writer. WPS Office provides excellent compatibility with Word files and handles document reviews smoothly without introducing unwanted formatting boxes.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open the document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file to view it without conversion artifacts.
3. Enable Track Changes: Navigate to the 'Review' tab and click 'Track Changes' to edit your document cleanly and efficiently.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formats.Advanced Track Changes feature for seamless and accurate document review.Free and lightweight alternative to heavy office suites.Clean, familiar user interface for immediate productivity.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do content control boxes appear when I turn on Track Changes?

Track Changes itself does not create content control boxes. However, if your document was converted from another platform like Google Docs, enabling Track Changes can make existing cross-platform formatting anomalies highly visible.

How can I tell if a formatting box is a content control?

Content controls typically appear as a rectangular bounding box around your text, often featuring a small clickable tab on the left side with a three-dot indicator.

Can document templates cause formatting boxes to appear?

Yes. If your document is based on a specific template that includes built-in form fields, placeholders, or content controls, those elements will be present in your document.

Will saving the document as a plain text file fix the issue?

Saving as a plain text file (.txt) will remove the content control boxes, but it will also permanently delete all other formatting, images, and tracked changes. It is usually better to copy and paste the specific text as 'Keep Text Only' into a new document.

Document & File Issues