Word’s Hidden font effect lets you keep text in a document without showing or printing it. It is handy for answer keys on worksheets, private notes in a template, or alternate wording you may want later. This guide shows how to hide and unhide text in Word for Windows and Mac, how to see hidden text, how to control whether it prints, and how to find and remove hidden text before you share a file. It also explains why hidden text is not a security feature.
Quick Answer
Select the text and press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac) to open the Font dialog. Check Hidden and click OK. On Windows, you can also press Ctrl + Shift + H to hide text directly. To see hidden text again, click Show/Hide ¶ on the Home tab.
How to Hide Text in Word (Windows)
- Select the text you want to hide. It can be a word, a paragraph, a table, or an image placed in line with text.
- On the Home tab, click the small arrow in the lower-right corner of the Font group, or press Ctrl + D.
- Under Effects, check Hidden.
- Click OK.
Shortcut: select the text and press Ctrl + Shift + H. Press it again to unhide.
How to Hide Text in Word for Mac
- Select the text.
- Go to Format > Font, or press Cmd + D.
- Check Hidden and click OK.
How to Show Hidden Text
| Method | What it does |
|---|---|
| Home > Show/Hide ¶ (Ctrl + Shift + 8 on Windows, Cmd + 8 on Mac) | Shows hidden text with a dotted underline, along with paragraph marks and other formatting marks |
| File > Options > Display > Hidden text (Windows) | Always shows hidden text without showing other formatting marks |
| Word > Preferences > View > Hidden text (Mac) | The same setting on a Mac |
Hidden text that is displayed on screen is still hidden. It keeps the dotted underline and does not print unless you turn on printing (see below).
How to Unhide Text
- Turn on Show/Hide ¶ so you can see the hidden text.
- Select the hidden text. To unhide everything, press Ctrl + A (Cmd + A on Mac).
- Open the Font dialog with Ctrl + D or Cmd + D.
- Uncheck Hidden. If you selected a mix of hidden and visible text, the box may show a filled square. Click it until it is empty.
- Click OK.
Print or Don’t Print Hidden Text
By default, hidden text does not print. To print it, for example to print an answer key version of a worksheet:
- Windows: go to File > Options > Display and check Print hidden text.
- Mac: go to Word > Preferences > Print and check Hidden text.
Turn this off again afterward so the student or client version doesn’t print the hidden content.
Hidden Text Is Not Secure
Anyone who opens the file can reveal hidden text with one click. It can also show up when a document is converted, copied into another app, or read by accessibility tools. Do not use it for passwords, confidential figures, or anything the recipient should not see. Instead:
- Delete the sensitive text before sharing.
- Keep a separate private version of the document.
- Use File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password to protect the whole file.
Find and Remove All Hidden Text Before Sharing
Option 1: Document Inspector (Windows)
- Save a copy of the document.
- Go to File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document.
- Make sure Hidden Text is checked and click Inspect.
- Next to Hidden Text, click Remove All.
Option 2: Find and Replace
- Press Ctrl + H and click More >>.
- Click in Find what, leave it empty, then choose Format > Font and check Hidden.
- Leave Replace with empty and click Replace All.
The same method with Replace set to Format > Font > not Hidden unhides all hidden text instead of deleting it.
Other Ways to Hide Content in Word
| Goal | Better option |
|---|---|
| Collapse long sections while reading | Hover over a heading and click the small triangle to collapse it |
| Leave notes for reviewers | Review > New Comment |
| Make text look blank but still print | White font color. It still prints and can be selected, so it is not recommended. |
| Keep a reusable answer key | Hidden text, with Print hidden text turned on only when needed |
Sharing a heavy document? Compressing pictures in Word can cut its size a lot.
Hidden text shows when formatting marks are on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide text in Word for the web?
Word for the web does not offer the Hidden effect in its Font options. Use the desktop app to hide or unhide text. Hidden text created in the desktop app stays hidden when viewed online.
Does hidden text count toward the word count?
It can, depending on whether hidden text is displayed and on your Word version. Check the word count with Show/Hide both on and off if the number matters.
Why does hidden text still show with a dotted underline?
Show/Hide ¶ or the Hidden text display option is on. Turn it off to hide the text from view.
Does hidden text appear in a PDF?
Normally no, as long as Print hidden text is off when you save or export. Check the PDF before sending it.
Summary
- Select the text, press Ctrl/Cmd + D, check Hidden, and click OK. On Windows, Ctrl + Shift + H also works.
- Use Show/Hide ¶ to see hidden text.
- Uncheck Hidden to unhide it.
- Control printing in Word Options.
- Remove hidden text with Document Inspector before sharing. It is not a security feature.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.