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How to Remove Unwanted Lines and Restore Scrollbars in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user needs to delete a persistent horizontal line that appears in their Word document and restore the down arrow on the right-side vertical scrollbar.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Formatting a document after pasting external content and troubleshooting missing user interface elements.
- Observed behavior
- A stubborn horizontal line or underline cannot be deleted using the Backspace or Delete keys, and the vertical scrollbar is missing its directional arrows or hiding automatically.
Before proceeding, check if you are currently in Draft view, as switching back to Print Layout can instantly resolve many visual glitches and display artifacts.
Remove the Line via Paragraph Borders and Shading
The most common cause of an un-deletable horizontal line after pasting text is an automatically applied paragraph border.
When you paste content from websites or other documents, Word often imports the background formatting, which frequently includes bottom borders applied to paragraphs. Since it is a border and not text, normal deletion methods fail.
Click and drag to highlight the paragraph located immediately above the unwanted horizontal line.
Navigate to the Home tab on the top ribbon, and look for the Borders icon located within the Paragraph group.
Click the small drop-down arrow next to the Borders icon and select 'No Border' from the list of options.
Identify and Delete Graphic Lines
Use this method if the line is actually an inserted shape, image, or graphic element rather than a formatting border.
Restore Scrollbars via Windows Settings
Scrollbar visibility in modern versions of Word is controlled by Windows OS settings rather than Word itself.
Easily Manage Formatting and Layouts in WPS Writer
If you frequently struggle with unexpected formatting artifacts like stubborn lines, WPS Writer offers an incredibly intuitive interface for clearing formatting, adjusting borders, and editing documents without hassle.
- 1. Open the Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your problematic document.
- 2. Select the Text: Highlight the paragraph directly above the unwanted horizontal line.
- 3. Clear the Border: Navigate to the Home tab, click the Borders dropdown icon, and choose 'No Border' to remove the line instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a solid line appear automatically when I type dashes?
This happens due to the AutoFormat As You Type feature. When you type three or more hyphens, underscores, or asterisks and press Enter, the word processor automatically converts them into a paragraph border. You can undo this immediately by pressing Ctrl+Z.
Can I force the scrollbar arrows to show only in Word but not in other Windows apps?
No. Modern versions of Microsoft Office inherit their scrollbar behavior directly from Windows OS settings. If you disable the auto-hide feature to restore the arrows, it will apply globally to all modern Windows applications.
What if changing the border settings doesn't remove the line?
If 'No Border' doesn't work, the line might be a footnote/endnote separator, a drawn shape, or a page border. Try switching your view from Draft to Print Layout, or use the Selection Pane (Home > Select > Selection Pane) to find and delete hidden graphics.
