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Microsoft Word Remove Horizontal Line – Best Methods

In Microsoft Word, a horizontal line often appears after typing three hyphens (—) and pressing Enter. It’s a formatting feature known as AutoFormat, but removing it can be frustrating if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Thankfully, it’s quick and easy to delete horizontal lines in Word using either keyboard shortcuts or built-in menu options. Here’s exactly how to remove in Microsoft Word these horizontal lines across all platforms — including Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu.

How Do Horizontal Lines Appear in Word? 🤔

Usually, when users type specific character combinations like:

  • --- (three hyphens)
  • === (three equal signs)
  • *** (three asterisks)
  • ___ (three underscores)

…and then press Enter, Word automatically creates a horizontal line. This is due to AutoFormat, which turns these symbols into paragraph borders.

Quick Fix: Undo the AutoFormat Line Immediately ⏪

If the line appears just now and you want to undo it instantly:

  • Windows: Press Ctrl + Z
  • macOS: Press Cmd + Z
  • Ubuntu/Linux: Press Ctrl + Z (LibreOffice equivalent)

Boom! Line gone. 😎

Microsoft Word Remove Horizontal Line via Paragraph Borders 🧱

If you’ve moved on and want to remove the line later, follow these steps:

  1. Place your cursor above the horizontal line.
  2. Go to the Home tab.
  3. In the Paragraph group, click the small Borders icon.
  4. Select No Border from the dropdown menu.

✨ Keyboard Navigation Tip:

  • Windows: Alt + H, then B, then N
  • macOS: Use Control + Option + Command + Down, then navigate with arrow keys
  • Ubuntu/Linux: Depends on the Word alternative; in LibreOffice, go to Format > Paragraph > Borders

This method works because Word sees the horizontal line as a border to the paragraph, not a separate object.

Alternative Method: Clear All Formatting 🎯

If you’re stuck, clearing all formatting might help:

  1. Highlight the paragraph with the line.
  2. Click Home > Clear All Formatting (eraser icon).
  3. Alternatively, use:
  • Windows: Ctrl + Space
  • macOS: Cmd + Space
  • Ubuntu: Varies by app; in LibreOffice: Ctrl + M

⚠️ This will remove all formatting in the selected area, not just the line.

Prevent Horizontal Lines from Appearing in the Future 🛡️

If horizontal lines are popping up too often, disable AutoFormat:

  1. Go to File > Options.
  2. Click on Proofing, then AutoCorrect Options.
  3. Navigate to the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
  4. Uncheck Border lines.

Now, Word won’t auto-convert those three hyphens anymore. 👍

FAQs – Microsoft Word Remove Horizontal Line

Why can’t I delete a horizontal line by pressing Backspace?
Because Word treats it as a paragraph border, not text. Use the No Border option instead.

Does this apply to all versions of Word?
Yes, though menus might differ slightly between Office 365, Word 2016, 2019, and 2021.

How do I remove multiple lines?
Repeat the border removal steps for each paragraph where the line appears.

Can I remove horizontal lines in Word Online?
Yes, but the border removal option is limited. Try switching to the desktop version for full control.

Will this delete other formatting too?
Only if you choose the “Clear Formatting” method. Using the Borders option is more precise.

Conclusion: No More Unwanted Lines in Word 🚫📏

Removing a horizontal line in Microsoft Word is easy once you understand that it’s not a normal shape or character—it’s a paragraph border. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or even Ubuntu, the trick lies in using the Borders tool or keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Z to quickly undo or remove it.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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