Formatting Issues

How to Remove Unwanted Lines from a Word Resume Template

Amos Gikunda Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to delete persistent double lines between pages in a resume template that cannot be selected or removed using standard delete keys.

How to Remove Unwanted Lines from a Word Resume Template

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a downloaded resume template (such as the Classic Accounting Resume) and attempting to adjust its layout.
Observed behavior: Unwanted double lines appear between the first and second pages and cannot be selected, deleted, or backspaced.

Before you start

Enable the 'Show/Hide Editing Marks' feature in your word processor to clearly see paragraph marks and hidden table structures before attempting to remove the layout lines.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Table Borders via Borders and Shading

Use this method because the unselectable lines are actually hidden table borders used for structural layout purposes within the resume template.

Many professional resume templates use borderless tables to align text perfectly. The stubborn lines you see are simply visible borders applied to specific rows inside that hidden table structure.

Select the adjacent rows

Highlight the text or click and drag across the table rows immediately above and below the stubborn double lines.

Open Borders and Shading

Navigate to the 'Home' tab, click the small arrow next to the 'Borders' icon in the Paragraph group, and select 'Borders and Shading' from the dropdown menu.

Remove the dividing border

In the 'Borders' tab, look at the preview diagram on the right side. Click on the horizontal middle line in the diagram to remove the border between your selected rows, then click 'OK' to apply the changes.

Remove Table Borders via Borders and Shading

Identifying Tables: If you hover or click inside the text near the line and see a small square icon with a cross in the top-left corner of the page margin, you are actively working inside a table.

Professional Resume Editing

Easily Edit and Format Resume Templates with WPS Office

WPS Writer provides intuitive table management and formatting tools, making it incredibly easy to customize complex resume templates, adjust hidden borders, and craft the perfect CV.

1. Open the Resume Template: Launch WPS Writer and open your downloaded resume document.
2. Select the Border Area: Highlight the text sections directly above and below the unwanted line.
3. Clear the Table Borders: Go to the 'Home' tab, click the 'Borders' icon in the formatting ribbon, and choose 'No Border' to remove it instantly.

Intuitive interface for identifying and modifying hidden table bordersSeamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) filesHundreds of free, built-in professional resume templatesLightweight, fast, and free to use for all basic editing needs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I select or delete a line in my Word document?

If a line cannot be deleted using Backspace or Delete, it is usually a paragraph border, a table border, or a drawing shape anchored to a header or footer rather than standard typed text.

How do I remove a persistent line created by typing dashes?

Typing three dashes and pressing Enter creates an AutoFormat paragraph border. To remove it, click anywhere in the text just above the line, go to the Borders menu in the Home tab, and select 'No Border'.

How do I view hidden table borders in my document?

To see the structure of your invisible tables, navigate to the Table Tools or Layout tab and click 'View Gridlines'. This will display faint dashed lines wherever table borders exist but are set to be invisible.