Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix No-Width Characters Not Visible in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to see No-Width Optional Break or No-Width Non-Break characters in Microsoft Word documents, despite having formatting marks turned on and verifying the characters' presence via character codes.

Product: Microsoft Word (Office 365)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Inserting No-Width Optional Break or Non-Break characters via the Insert > Symbol menu in a new document.
Observed behavior: The inserted no-width characters do not display visibly on the screen, even though pressing Alt+X reveals their underlying character codes.

Before you start

Ensure that you have formatting marks enabled in Word by clicking the 'Show/Hide ¶' button on the Home tab, as hidden characters are designed to never display without this setting toggled on.

Solution 1Recommended

Keep Office 365 Updated for Future Patches

Since Microsoft Support has reproduced this bug in the latest Office 365 Current Channel, keeping your software updated is the best way to receive the official fix.

Microsoft has acknowledged a display issue where No-Width characters remain invisible regardless of the font used (such as Arial, Calibri, or Courier). The characters are technically present but visually missing in new documents.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word and navigate to the 'File' tab located in the top left corner of the application.

Check for Updates

Click on 'Account' at the bottom of the left-hand menu, then select the 'Update Options' button next to the Office Updates section.

Apply Pending Updates

Click 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu to check for and install any pending patches that might resolve the no-width character display bug.

Solution 2

Use an Older Document as a Template

Work within an older document where the characters are known to display correctly as a temporary workaround for new files.

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Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Formatting

If Microsoft Word's display bugs are disrupting your workflow, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. WPS Writer handles advanced formatting and special characters seamlessly, ensuring your document looks exactly the way you intend without unexpected hidden character issues.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer for your operating system.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file directly to maintain all original document formatting.
3. View Formatting Marks: Enable the Show/Hide Editing Marks feature in the WPS Writer Home tab to accurately view all special characters and layout breaks.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx, .doc)Accurate rendering of special characters and formatting marksFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curveFree to download and incredibly lightweight on system resources

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify if a No-Width character is actually inserted in my Word document?

You can check if the character exists by placing your cursor exactly where you inserted it and pressing Alt+X on your keyboard. This shortcut toggles the character code (such as 200C or 200B) to verify its presence, even if it is currently invisible.

Will changing the document font make the No-Width characters visible?

No, in this specific Office 365 Current Channel bug, changing fonts to standard options like Arial, Courier, or Calibri does not resolve the issue. The characters remain invisible in new documents regardless of the font selected.

What is a No-Width Optional Break used for in Word?

A No-Width Optional Break is a hidden formatting character used to control line breaking in long words or URLs. It tells the software exactly where it is acceptable to break a line of text without displaying a visible hyphen or space.

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