Data Protection Issues

How to Remove the Blue INTERNAL Bar from a Word Document

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trying to remove a blue banner displaying the word INTERNAL that appears at the bottom of every page in a Word document.

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a document that displays a persistent organizational banner or graphic on every page.
Observed behavior: A blue INTERNAL bar appears at the bottom of all document pages and cannot be immediately removed from the main editing view.

Before you start

Determine whether the document was created by your organization or shared from an external corporate source, as this affects your permission to modify its security policies.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete the Graphic from the Document Footer

If the banner is a standard shape or text box, it can be manually deleted by accessing the document's header and footer editing mode.

Often, persistent banners that appear on every page are simply graphical elements anchored inside the document's footer.

Access the Footer

Double-click the bottom margin of any page in your Word document to open the Header & Footer editing mode.

Select the Banner

Click directly on the blue INTERNAL bar to select the shape or text box. You should see selection handles appear around its edges.

Delete and Exit

Press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard to remove the banner. Once removed, double-click anywhere in the main document body to close the footer.

Successfully Removed: If the banner disappears from all pages, the issue is resolved and the file can be saved normally.

Solution 2

Adjust Organizational Sensitivity Labels

If the banner cannot be clicked or deleted, it is likely enforced by a Microsoft 365 Information Protection policy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sensitivity label in a Word document?

A sensitivity label is an information-protection feature used by organizations to classify and secure data. When applied, it can automatically restrict access or insert visible markings like headers, footers, and watermarks (e.g., 'INTERNAL' or 'CONFIDENTIAL').

Why can't I click or select the blue banner in the footer?

If you cannot select the banner after opening the footer, it may be locked by an organizational protection policy, embedded as a protected background element, or inserted using a mandatory sensitivity label that your account does not have permission to alter.

Can I remove a mandatory sensitivity label without an admin account?

Generally, no. If your organization has configured mandatory labeling policies, only the original creator of the document or a designated IT administrator can downgrade or remove the protection label.

Microsoft Office Security Issues