Formatting Issues

How to Remove the Zigzag Border Created by Tildes in Word

Emma Brown Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove an undeletable zigzag line caused by typing tilde characters in Word and wants to know how to stop this from happening automatically in the future.

How to Remove the Zigzag Border Created by Tildes in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing and formatting text in a document
Observed behavior: Typing a row of tildes and pressing Enter automatically converts them into a persistent zigzag paragraph border that cannot be removed using the Backspace or Delete keys.

Before you start

Ensure your cursor is placed directly above or inside the paragraph where the persistent zigzag line appears before attempting to modify its border settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Existing Zigzag Border

Clear the applied paragraph borders to instantly remove the zigzag line from your document.

Since the zigzag line is technically a paragraph border applied by Word rather than actual text characters, standard deletion methods will not work.

Position the cursor

Click anywhere inside the paragraph located directly above the zigzag line.

Open the Borders menu

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the top ribbon. In the 'Paragraph' group, locate the 'Borders' icon and click the small drop-down arrow next to it.

Select No Border

Click 'No Border' from the drop-down list. The zigzag line will immediately disappear from your document.

Quick Fix: If you just typed the tildes and the line appeared, you can immediately press Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo the border conversion and keep your original tilde characters.

Solution 2

Disable the AutoFormat Border Setting

Turn off Word's automatic border creation so typing tildes (or other characters) won't trigger unwanted lines in the future.

Easy Document Formatting

Manage Document Borders Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Office offers intuitive paragraph formatting controls, allowing you to easily remove unwanted zigzag borders or disable AutoFormat features while seamlessly editing your Microsoft Word documents.

1. Open the document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file containing the unwanted zigzag border.
2. Select the target paragraph: Click into the paragraph immediately above the zigzag line.
3. Access the Borders tool: Under the 'Home' tab, find the 'Borders' icon located in the Paragraph grouping.
4. Apply No Border: Click the drop-down menu and choose 'No Border' to cleanly erase the zigzag line from your page.

Easily remove, add, or customize paragraph bordersFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc and .docx)Lightweight application that runs smoothly on older PCsFree to use for all your essential document processing needs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does typing tildes automatically create a line in Word?

This happens due to Word's 'AutoFormat As You Type' feature. When you type three or more consecutive tilde characters (~) and press Enter, Word assumes you want to insert a decorative zigzag paragraph border and applies it automatically.

Can I delete the zigzag line using the Backspace key?

No. Because the zigzag line is technically a paragraph border and not actual text, the Backspace or Delete keys will not remove it. You must use the Borders menu to apply a 'No Border' setting to the paragraph above it.

Are there other characters that trigger automatic borders in Word?

Yes. Typing three or more hyphens (-), underscores (_), equal signs (=), asterisks (*), or number signs (#) followed by pressing the Enter key will also trigger Word to automatically create various styles of horizontal paragraph borders.

Document & File Issues