How to Remove the Bold Underscore Line in a Word Document
Question details
The user wants to remove a thick, bold underscore-like line that appears at the bottom of the text in a new or existing Word document.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Editing or creating a Word document where an unexpected horizontal line constantly appears at the end of the content.
- Observed behavior
- A bold underscore line is displayed at the bottom of the document and cannot be deleted using the backspace or delete keys, acting as an uneditable element.
Before troubleshooting, note that this line is usually not actual document formatting, but rather a built-in end-of-document marker that appears when specific document views are active.
Switch to Print Layout View
Change your document view to Print Layout to immediately hide the end-of-document marker.
The bold line you are seeing is an end-of-document marker. It is a system indicator designed to show where your document ends. This marker only appears when the document is set to Draft view or Outline view. Because it is a view indicator rather than typed content, it cannot be deleted manually.
Look at the bottom right corner of your Word application window, right next to the zoom slider.
Click on the 'Print Layout' icon (usually the middle icon of the three view options). Alternatively, go to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and select 'Print Layout' from the Views group.
The bold underscore line will disappear immediately, and your document will display exactly as it will appear when printed.
Edit Word Documents Seamlessly in WPS Office
WPS Writer offers a highly compatible and user-friendly interface for editing Word documents. It defaults to an intuitive Print Layout, ensuring you will not be interrupted by hidden system markers like the Draft view end-of-document line.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 3. Edit with Ease: Enjoy editing in the default Print Layout view, where your document formatting behaves exactly as expected without uneditable layout lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word document suddenly open with this bold line?
You may have accidentally clicked the Draft or Outline view button located at the bottom right of the application window. Because Word remembers the last view used, it continues to apply the Draft view to newly opened documents.
Can I simply highlight and delete the end-of-document marker?
No, the end-of-document marker is a structural system indicator built into the Draft and Outline views, not a typed character, border, or shape. It cannot be deleted; you must change your document view to hide it.
Will this bold underscore line show up if I print or export the document?
No. The line is strictly a visual aid for the Draft and Outline views on your screen. It will not appear on the printed page or when exporting the document to a PDF file.
