How to Remove Paragraph Symbols in Word 2007 Doc

If the paragraph symbols bother you, you can hide them.

The paragraph symbol, also known as a pilcrow, appears wherever a new paragraph ends in a Microsoft Word 2007 document. A return symbol, a left-pointing curved arrow, appears where you start a new line but not a new paragraph. Usually, these marks appear when you've activated -- perhaps accidentally -- the "Show Formatting" feature. If the marks remain even after you hide formatting, however, then the advanced options for your copy of Word specify that paragraph marks should always show. Fortunately, you can change those settings.

Instructions

1. Press the following keys on your keyboard, holding them down simultaneously: "Ctrl," "Shift" and "8." Or, click the "Home" tab on the Ribbon and and then click the "Show/Hide" formatting button, which shows a pilcrow -- the same mark appearing in your document at the end of each paragraph. If this hides the paragraph symbols, then you're done. If the marks still show, then type the keyboard shortcut again or press the formatting button again, and then move to the next step.

2. Click the round Microsoft Office button, located in the top left corner; on the drop-down Word menu, click "Word Options," at the bottom. The Word Options dialog box will pop up.

3. Click the "Display" tab on the Word Options dialog box, in the left column.

4. Click the square by "Paragraph marks," under the heading "Always show these formatting marks on the screen." After you click the square, the check mark in it will disappear.

5. Click the "OK" button on the Word Options dialog box.

References

• Microsoft Office: Show or Hide Formatting Marks
• AskDrexel; How to: Remove Paragraph Marks in Word 2007; 2007
• FICPA; Learn How to Show Formatting Marks in Word; 2010