How to Stop Word from Replacing Three Asterisks with a Dotted Border
Question details
The user wants to prevent Microsoft Word from automatically converting three asterisks into a horizontal dotted border line when typing.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Typing a scene-break dinkus (three asterisks) in a document and pressing Enter.
- Observed behavior
- Word's AutoFormat feature intercepts the three asterisks and automatically replaces them with a full-width dotted horizontal border.
Ensure you have your Word document open. Note that changing this AutoFormat setting will apply globally to all future documents you edit in Microsoft Word.
Disable Border Lines in AutoFormat Settings
Turn off the specific AutoFormat setting in Word that automatically converts typed characters like asterisks or hyphens into paragraph border lines.
Microsoft Word includes an 'AutoFormat As You Type' feature designed to save time by guessing your formatting intentions. By disabling the 'Border lines' option, you can type asterisks normally without triggering the automatic horizontal line.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Word ribbon, then select 'Options' located at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, select 'Proofing' from the left navigation pane. Then, click on the 'AutoCorrect Options...' button on the right side.
Navigate to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab in the new window. Look under the 'Apply as you type' section and clear the checkbox next to 'Border lines'.
Click 'OK' to close the AutoCorrect dialog box, and then click 'OK' again to exit the Word Options menu and apply the changes.
Control Your Formatting Easily in WPS Writer
WPS Writer provides intuitive and granular control over AutoFormat features, allowing you to type scene breaks without unexpected formatting changes. Here is how to disable automatic border lines in WPS Office.
- 1. Open Options: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner of the WPS Writer interface and select 'Options' from the drop-down menu.
- 2. Navigate to AutoCorrect: In the Options dialog, select 'Edit' from the left panel and click on the 'AutoCorrect' button.
- 3. Disable Borders: Switch to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck 'Border lines' under the Apply as you type section, and click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word change my asterisks or hyphens into a line?
Word uses a feature called 'AutoFormat As You Type'. When you type three or more consecutive asterisks (***), hyphens (---), underscores (___), or equal signs (===) and press Enter, Word assumes you want to draw a separator line and automatically applies a bottom paragraph border.
Can I quickly undo the border without changing my settings?
Yes. If Word automatically creates a border right after you press Enter, you can immediately press Ctrl+Z (Undo) on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac. This reverses the automatic formatting, leaving your three asterisks intact.
Does disabling AutoFormat border lines affect table borders?
No. Disabling the 'Border lines' option under 'AutoFormat As You Type' only stops Word from converting typed characters (like asterisks) into horizontal lines. It does not affect your ability to add or modify borders on tables, text boxes, or paragraphs manually.
