Formatting Issues

How to Remove the Undeletable Line in a Word Document

Ayan Masood Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a persistent horizontal line that automatically shifts downward when typing new lines.

How to Remove the Undeletable Line in a Word Document

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing or reviewing a document where a stubborn line sits at the bottom of the text and interrupts the editing experience.
Observed behavior: A horizontal line appears at the end of the document. It cannot be highlighted, selected, or deleted using the Backspace or Delete keys, and it moves down when Enter is pressed.

Before you start

Verify if the line can be clicked or selected with your mouse; if it cannot be selected at all, it is highly likely a built-in view marker rather than drawn content.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch to Print Layout View

Change your document view to Print Layout to hide the end-of-document marker interface element.

In Microsoft Word and WPS Writer, a horizontal line often appears at the bottom of the text when you are working in Draft or Outline view. This line is an end-of-document marker. Because it is a system interface element designed to show where your text ends, it is not actual document content and cannot be deleted with your keyboard.

Open the View tab

Open your Word document and click on the 'View' tab located in the top ribbon menu.

Select Print Layout

In the Document Views group, click on 'Print Layout'. Alternatively, you can click the Print Layout icon located at the bottom right corner of your application window on the status bar.

Verify the line is hidden

Check the bottom of your text. The undeletable horizontal line should now be completely hidden, displaying the page exactly as it will print.

Recommended View Mode: Working in Print Layout view is generally recommended as it ensures you see the document formatting, margins, and page breaks exactly as they will appear when printed.

Solution 2

Remove Auto-Formatted Paragraph Borders

If changing the view mode did not fix the issue, the line might be an auto-formatted paragraph border rather than a view marker.

Efficient Document Formatting

Easily Manage Document Layouts with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides a highly intuitive interface where you can seamlessly switch document views, manage formatting marks, and edit Word documents without frustrating visual glitches.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the unwanted line.
2. Navigate to View settings: Click on the 'View' tab located at the top of the interface.
3. Switch to Print Layout: Click 'Print Layout' to instantly hide non-printable markers and view your true document layout.

Instantly toggle between Print Layout, Web Layout, and Outline views.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc).Clear, user-friendly ribbon interface for managing page borders and formatting.Free, lightweight, and fast-loading alternative to heavy office software.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I permanently delete the end-of-document marker?

No, the end-of-document marker is a built-in system element designed to indicate the absolute end of your text when working in Draft or Outline views. While it cannot be deleted, you can easily hide it by switching to Print Layout view.

Will this horizontal line appear when I print my document?

If the line is the end-of-document marker visible only in Draft or Outline view, it will not print. However, if the line is a paragraph border or a drawn shape, it will appear on the printed page.

Why does Word automatically create a horizontal line when I type dashes?

This happens due to the AutoFormat feature. When you type three consecutive dashes, underscores, or asterisks and press Enter, the software automatically converts them into a solid paragraph border. You can undo this immediately by pressing Ctrl+Z, or turn off the feature in the AutoCorrect Options menu.

Document & File Issues