How to Remove Highlighting from Automatic Paragraph Numbers in Word Using WPS Office
Question details
The user needs to remove background highlighting or direct formatting from automatic paragraph numbers in a Word document when the formatting is inherited from the paragraph mark.
- Product
- WPS Office Writer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is editing a Word-compatible document with automatic paragraph numbering and wants the numbers to appear without highlighting or unexpected formatting.
- Observed behavior
- The automatic paragraph number remains highlighted or directly formatted even when the number alone is selected, because the formatting is stored in the paragraph mark.
Enable formatting marks in WPS Office Writer before you begin so the paragraph mark at the end of the numbered paragraph is visible, and make sure the document is open in the editing view.
Remove Text Highlighting from Automatic Paragraph Numbers
Use this method when the automatic number has a colored highlight but no other direct formatting issue.
Automatic numbering in Word-compatible files stores direct formatting in the paragraph mark, so selecting only the visible number is often not enough.
Open your document in WPS Office Writer, go to the Home tab, and click the Show/Hide Paragraph Marks button (¶) to display paragraph marks.
Click at the end of the affected numbered paragraph and select the paragraph mark (¶) that follows the paragraph text.
On the Home tab, open the Text Highlight Color menu in the Font group and select No Color.
Clear Bold, Italic, or Other Direct Formatting from Automatic Numbers
Use this method when the automatic number is bold, italic, or otherwise directly formatted but not highlighted.
Remove Automatic Paragraph Number Highlighting in WPS Office Writer
Open the Word document in WPS Office Writer and clear the paragraph mark formatting to remove unwanted highlighting or direct formatting from automatic numbers.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to the official WPS website and download WPS Office, then install it on your computer.
- 2. Open the Word document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open the Word document that contains the highlighted automatic paragraph numbers.
- 3. Show formatting marks: On the Home tab, click the Show/Hide Paragraph Marks button so the paragraph mark at the end of each numbered paragraph is visible.
- 4. Clear the number formatting: Select the paragraph mark of the affected paragraph, then open Text Highlight Color and choose No Color. If bold or other direct formatting remains, press Ctrl+Space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I remove highlighting from an automatic paragraph number by selecting the number itself?
Automatic numbers inherit their formatting from the paragraph mark at the end of the paragraph. Select that paragraph mark and clear the highlight instead.
Does Ctrl+Space remove text highlighting from automatic numbers?
No. Ctrl+Space clears direct character formatting like bold or italic, but background highlighting must be removed with Text Highlight Color > No Color.
Can I clear formatting from every automatic number in a list at once?
Yes. Select the list or the relevant paragraphs, including their paragraph marks, then use Home > Text Highlight Color > No Color. Check any remaining numbers individually.
Will this method work when I open a Word document in WPS Office Writer?
Yes. WPS Office Writer uses the same paragraph mark formatting model, so the Home > Text Highlight Color > No Color workflow works for Word documents.
