Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove the Black End-of-Document Line in Microsoft Word

Camila Milosovich Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to remove or hide a small black horizontal line that appears at the very end of their Microsoft Word document.

How to Remove the Black End-of-Document Line in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing or editing a document in Microsoft Word and noticing an unexpected marker at the bottom of the text.
Observed behavior: A small black dash or line appears at the end of the document text in Draft or Outline view, even in newly created files.

Before you start

Ensure your document is open in Microsoft Word. Note that this line is a structural indicator meant for editing purposes and will not appear when you print or export your file to PDF.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch to Print Layout View to Hide the Line

The most effective way to hide the end-of-document marker is to change your document view to Print Layout.

The black line is an integral end-of-document indicator built into Word's Draft and Outline views. It cannot be disabled via settings because it helps users know where the document truly ends, especially since certain objects like images do not display in these specific views.

Open the View Tab

Navigate to the ribbon at the top of the Word window and click on the 'View' tab.

Select Print Layout

In the 'Views' group on the left side of the ribbon, click on 'Print Layout'.

Alternative Status Bar Method

Alternatively, you can click the 'Print Layout' view icon located near the right side of the bottom status bar next to the zoom slider.

Switch to Print Layout View to Hide the Line

Printing Characteristics: This black line is strictly a visual aid for editing in Draft or Outline view. It is not a paragraph border and will never appear on your printed pages.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Clean and Intuitive Writing Experience

If you find Microsoft Word's interface cluttered with non-removable indicators, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, modern workspace with a default Print Layout view, completely free of charge.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple installation prompts, then launch WPS Writer.
3. Open Your Document: Open your existing .docx file in WPS Writer to enjoy a seamless, clean viewing and editing experience.

Free and lightweight word processor with a clean interfaceFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Intuitive default WYSIWYG layout without confusing drafting marksSeamless migration of your existing Office documents

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word show a black line at the end of the document?

Word displays this line in Draft and Outline views to mark the absolute end of your document. This is helpful because certain elements, like floating images or text boxes, do not appear in these views, and the line confirms there is no hidden content below.

Can I delete or format the end-of-document line?

No, the end-of-document marker cannot be deleted, selected, or formatted. It is a hardcoded interface element in Microsoft Word's Draft and Outline views, not an actual part of your document text.

Will this black line appear when I print or save as PDF?

No, this line is only a visual aid on your screen. It will not appear on physical printouts or when you export the document to a PDF file.

Office App Problems