Microsoft Word 2007/2010 tip – How To Add and Remove Automatic Borders Swiftly

Now, be mindful that it is also possible to accidentally create a line or border. If you want to turn off these automatic lines altogether, go to File, Options, and Proofing then click the AutoCorrect Options button.  Next, on the AutoCorrect dialog, click the AutoFormat as you Type tab.  Unchecking the Border lines option will turn off this automatic feature completely.

If you simply want to type any of the above symbols out not intending to create a border, be sure to hit “space” afterward the three symbols and then hit enter. This will leave it as is. (IE: ### is common in press releases)

If you try to delete an accidental border, sometimes you can get lucky by selecting the line and tapping the Delete key to remove it. If that does not initially work, press Control-Shift-* (asterisk) to display characters that don’t print, delete the paragraph symbol immediately above the line or below.  If that method *still* doesn’t work, select the line, and the paragraph symbol above the line and below. Click the drop-down to the right of the Borders button which is the icon at the right side of the bottom row in the Paragraph group, and click “No Border” (the 5^th option on the list.)  Another quick option to remove the border is to select the line before and after the border then click the “Clear Formatting” button at the top right corner of the Font group on the Home tab.

In summary, the automatic paragraph borders features lets you draw lines quickly, but occasionally it can accidentally inserts a border as well.