Formatting Issues

How to Show or Hide Word TC Field Codes and Hidden Text

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to understand why manually inserted TC (Table of Contents) field codes are hidden, turn into ordinary text, or disappear when typing nearby, and how to properly view and manage them.

How to Fix Word TC Field Codes Appearing as Hidden Text

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows, Mac
Scenario: Manually inserting and editing TC field codes to generate or customize a Table of Contents.
Observed behavior: TC field codes format themselves as hidden text, seemingly disappearing or turning into ordinary text when characters are typed near them.

Before you start

Before adjusting your hidden text settings, ensure you have correctly placed your cursor exactly where you want the Table of Contents entry to be referenced in your document.

Solution 1Recommended

Toggle Hidden Text and Formatting Marks Settings

Adjusting Word's display settings allows you to view or hide TC field codes, which are formatted as hidden text by default.

TC fields are inherently designed as hidden text so that they do not disrupt the visual flow of your document or appear in final prints. Their visibility relies entirely on your application's formatting marks settings.

Show Formatting Marks

Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon and click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button (or press Ctrl+* / Command+8 on Mac) to reveal the TC field braces.

Access Display Options

To hide the codes from your screen view without removing them, click on File > Options to open the Word Options dialog box, then select Display from the left-hand menu.

Disable Hidden Text Display

Under the 'Always show these formatting marks on the screen' section, uncheck the 'Hidden text' box and click OK.

Toggle Hidden Text and Formatting Marks Settings

Printing Behavior: Hidden text, including TC field codes, will not appear on your final printed document unless you specifically enable 'Print hidden text' in Word's printing options.

Solution 2

Use Alternative Methods for Multiple TOCs

If manual TC fields are too difficult to manage due to their hidden nature, you can create multiple or partial Tables of Contents using built-in style or bookmark features.

Advanced Document Formatting

Easily Manage Table of Contents and Field Codes in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing complex document elements like Table of Contents and hidden field codes. You can easily toggle formatting marks and generate accurate multi-level TOCs without wrestling with hidden text.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document where you need to manage your Table of Contents.
2. Toggle Editing Marks: Navigate to the Home tab and click the 'Show/Hide Editing Marks' icon to instantly view or hide any hidden field codes like TC fields.
3. Insert Custom TOC: To generate a clean Table of Contents, switch to the References tab and click on Table of Contents.
4. Adjust Levels and Styles: Select 'Insert Table of Contents' from the dropdown to customize heading levels, tab leaders, and styles without manually typing field codes.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx, .doc).Easily toggle hidden text and formatting marks with a single click.Intuitive Table of Contents generator for complex, multi-level documents.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my TC field codes accidentally turn into regular text?

When you type near a TC field code, the surrounding text might accidentally take on the hidden text formatting, or the code structure breaks. Ensure you place your cursor completely outside the field braces before typing new content.

Will hidden TC fields print on my final document?

No, by default TC fields are formatted as hidden text and will not print. You would need to explicitly check 'Print hidden text' in your Word Print Options for them to physically appear on paper.

How do I make a TC field on Mac visible again?

On Word for Mac, you can press Command + 8 to quickly toggle nonprinting characters, which will immediately reveal any temporarily hidden TC field codes or formatting marks.

Document & File Issues