Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove Unwanted Boxes Appearing in Microsoft Word

Olivia Miller Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a persistent, unwanted box that appears on the screen when opening or typing in a Word document.

How to Remove an Unwanted Box Appearing in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing or starting a new document in Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: An unexpected box displays around text or on the screen, potentially caused by text boundaries, Copilot prompts, or active add-ins.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, identify if the box appears only in a specific document or all new files, and ensure your Microsoft Word is updated to the latest version to rule out temporary display bugs.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Show Text Boundaries

The most common reason for unexpected boxes around every line or paragraph in Word is the 'Show text boundaries' setting being enabled.

In newer versions of Microsoft Word, text boundaries draw a box around every single paragraph when you hit Enter. Disabling this setting will return your page to a clean, blank slate.

Open Word Options

Click on 'File' in the top left corner of the ribbon and select 'Options' at the very bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Advanced Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, click on the 'Advanced' tab on the left sidebar.

Disable Text Boundaries

Scroll down to the 'Show document content' section, uncheck the box labeled 'Show text boundaries', and click 'OK' to save the changes.

Immediate Effect: The boxes should instantly disappear from your document once you click OK.

Solution 2

Disable Unwanted or Conflicting Add-ins

Sometimes third-party add-ins or newly integrated features like Copilot can overlay interactive boxes on your document.

Solution 3

Remove Paragraph Borders

If the box only surrounds specific text, it might actually be a paragraph border accidentally applied to your formatting style.

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Switch to WPS Office for a Cleaner Writing Experience

If Microsoft Word features like forced Copilot prompts or persistent text boundaries are cluttering your workspace, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, distraction-free environment without sacrificing functionality.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue working seamlessly.
3. Enjoy a Clean Interface: Experience a distraction-free writing environment without having to constantly adjust complex settings.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Clean, intuitive, and distraction-free user interface without unexpected overlay boxes.Lightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Free to download and use with seamless file migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a box appear around every paragraph when I press Enter in Word?

This happens when the 'Show text boundaries' setting is enabled in Word. To remove it, go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to the 'Show document content' section, and uncheck 'Show text boundaries'.

Can a disabled Copilot feature still leave a box on the screen?

Yes, sometimes disabling a feature doesn't immediately refresh the user interface. Try completely restarting Microsoft Word. If the box persists, verify that the specific COM Add-in is fully disabled through File > Options > Add-ins.

What if the box is only around a single word or sentence?

This is likely a text or paragraph border rather than a system-wide setting. Select the affected text, navigate to the Home tab, click the Borders dropdown in the Paragraph group, and choose 'No Border'.

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