How to Remove the Blue Sideline Bar from a Word Header or Footer
Question details
The user needs to remove an unselectable blue vertical bar located in the header or footer of a document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a document that uses the built-in 'Sideline' header or footer format.
- Observed behavior
- A blue vertical bar appears in the header or footer. It cannot be clicked or selected as an object, and it shifts position when paragraph indents are modified.
Ensure you have editing permissions for the document, as restricted documents may prevent you from altering header and footer formatting.
Remove Paragraph Borders in the Header or Footer
The blue line is a paragraph border applied to the text, not an independent shape. Removing the border will eliminate the line without deleting your text.
In Microsoft Word's 'Sideline' template, the visual vertical bar is achieved using paragraph border formatting. Because it is tied to the paragraph rather than acting as a standalone drawing object, it cannot be selected with a standard mouse click.
Double-click directly inside the header or footer area of your Word document to activate the editing mode.
Press Ctrl+A on your keyboard to select all the text and paragraph marks contained within that header or footer.
Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the top ribbon menu and locate the 'Paragraph' settings group.
Click the drop-down arrow next to the 'Borders' icon and select 'No Border' from the list. The blue vertical bar will instantly disappear.
Easily Edit Headers and Footers in WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing document headers, footers, and paragraph borders. It handles complex Word templates flawlessly and is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file containing the sideline header.
- 2. Enter Header/Footer Mode: Double-click the header or footer area to activate the editing interface.
- 3. Clear Borders: Press Ctrl+A to select the text, go to the Home tab, click the Borders icon in the Paragraph section, and choose 'No Border'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I select the blue line in my header by clicking on it?
The blue line in the Sideline format isn't an inserted shape, image, or drawing object. It is a paragraph border applied directly to the text block. Because it is a formatting property rather than an object, clicking it directly does not select it.
Will removing the border delete my header text?
No, selecting 'No Border' from the Paragraph menu only strips the border formatting. Your text, page numbers, dates, and other header content will remain completely unaffected.
How do I change the color of the vertical bar instead of removing it?
To change its color, double-click the header, select the text, and go to Home > Paragraph > Borders > Borders and Shading. In the dialog box, you can pick a different color for the line and apply it specifically to the left paragraph border.
