How to Remove Expand and Collapse Arrows in Word Numbered Paragraphs
Question details
The user wants to hide the expand and collapse arrows that automatically appear next to specific numbered paragraphs in Word, without altering the numbering or document behavior.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting structured documents where numbered lists utilize outline levels, triggering unwanted visual collapse arrows next to the text.
- Observed behavior
- Word displays an expand/collapse arrow beside any paragraph assigned an outline level other than Body Text, with no native option to hide these arrows for individual or selected paragraphs.
Before attempting to remove the expand/collapse arrows, note that modifying outline levels will directly affect how your document is structured in the Navigation Pane and Table of Contents.
Change the Paragraph Outline Level to Body Text
Since Word ties the expand/collapse arrow directly to outline levels, converting the paragraph's outline level to 'Body Text' is the most straightforward workaround to hide the arrow.
Microsoft Word does not offer a specific toggle to hide arrows on a per-paragraph basis while retaining the outline level. By changing the level to Body Text, the arrow disappears, though the numbering will remain intact.
Highlight the numbered paragraph or list item where you want to remove the expand/collapse arrow.
Right-click the highlighted text and select 'Paragraph...' from the context menu to open the formatting dialog box.
Navigate to the 'Indents and Spacing' tab. Click the 'Outline level' dropdown menu and select 'Body Text'.
Click 'OK' to save your settings. The expand/collapse arrow will no longer appear next to that specific paragraph.
Use a VBA Macro to Toggle Data Display
For users who must preserve the outline level for Table of Contents purposes but want independent control over collapsing text, implementing a custom VBA macro is required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide the expand arrow without changing the outline level?
No, Microsoft Word automatically links the expand/collapse arrow to any paragraph that is assigned an outline level higher than Body Text (e.g., Level 1, Level 2). There is no native setting to decouple the arrow from the outline level.
Why do some of my numbered lists have arrows while others don't?
Numbered lists only display the expand/collapse arrow if their paragraph style has an assigned outline level. If a list is formatted strictly as 'Body Text' under its paragraph settings, the arrow will not appear.
Will removing the outline level affect my Table of Contents?
Yes. The Table of Contents (TOC) is generated based on paragraph outline levels. If you change a heading or numbered list item to 'Body Text' to remove the arrow, it will be excluded from your TOC.
