'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Remove Dotted Underlines and Hidden Text in Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to remove dotted lines appearing under text and prevent blank printouts caused by the Hidden font attribute.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Creating new documents or printing existing ones where text appears with a dotted underline on screen and fails to show up on physical printouts.
- Observed behavior
- Text displays with dotted underlines on the screen and prints as blank spaces due to the Hidden font attribute being unintentionally applied to the Normal style.
Ensure all your documents are saved and close any unnecessary files before modifying the Normal template to prevent data loss.
Remove the Hidden Attribute from the Normal Style
This method fixes the root cause for new documents by updating the default Normal template to remove the hidden text property.
If every new document you create has text with dotted underlines, the Hidden attribute was likely added to your Normal paragraph style by mistake. Modifying the style will fix this for all future documents.
Open a new blank document in Word for Mac and navigate to 'Format' > 'Style' in the top menu bar.
Select the 'Normal' style from the list of styles and click the 'Modify' button.
In the Modify Style dialog, click the 'Format' dropdown menu in the lower-left corner and select 'Font'.
In the Font dialog box, locate the Effects section, uncheck the 'Hidden' option, and click 'OK'.
Back in the Modify Style dialog, check the box for 'Add to template'. Click 'Apply', and if prompted, confirm to save the Normal template.
Reset the Normal.dotm Template
Use this method if modifying the style does not resolve the issue, as it forces Word to generate a fresh, uncorrupted default template.
Remove Hidden Text Formatting Easily with WPS Office
If you are struggling with persistent template issues in Microsoft Word, you can use WPS Office to quickly open your documents, clear unwanted hidden formatting, and continue your work smoothly.
- 1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the existing .docx document that contains the dotted underlines.
- 2. Select All Text: Press Cmd + A (or Ctrl + A) to select all the text in your document.
- 3. Remove Hidden Formatting: Right-click the selected text, choose 'Font', and uncheck the 'Hidden' effect in the dialog box.
- 4. Save Your File: Click 'OK' to apply the changes and save your perfectly formatted document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my text have a dotted underline in Word for Mac?
A dotted underline under text in Word typically indicates that the 'Hidden' font effect has been applied. This text remains visible on your screen but is excluded from printing unless specific print settings are enabled.
How do I print hidden text in Word for Mac?
If you intentionally want to print hidden text, go to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'Print' from the top menu and check the box for 'Hidden text' under the 'Include with document' section.
Will fixing the Normal template fix all my old documents?
No. Modifying the Normal template only ensures that new documents you create won't have the hidden attribute by default. You must manually select the text and remove the hidden formatting in your older documents.
What is the Normal.dotm file?
Normal.dotm is the global template file in Microsoft Word that stores default document settings, such as fonts, paragraph styles, margins, and macros. When this file becomes corrupted, it can cause persistent formatting issues.
