Hiding text in Microsoft Word is a neat trick that can come in handy for various reasons. Whether you’re working on a rough draft and want to keep notes hidden or simply need to remove text temporarily without deleting it, this feature can be quite useful. Here’s a quick and easy way to hide text in Word: Simply select the text you want to hide, right-click to open the context menu, select “Font,” and then check the “Hidden” box in the Effects section.
How to Hide Text in Word
The following steps will guide you through the process of hiding text in a Microsoft Word document. By the end, you’ll have the know-how to make specific text invisible without deleting it, making your document cleaner and more organized.
Step 1: Open Your Document
Open the Microsoft Word document where you want to hide text.
Make sure the document is open and editable, and locate the text you want to hide.
Step 2: Select the Text
Select the portion of the text you want to hide by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
Be precise in your selection to ensure only the desired text is hidden.
Step 3: Open the Font Dialog Box
Right-click on the highlighted text to open the context menu, then click on “Font.”
The Font dialog box contains several options for text formatting, including hiding text.
Step 4: Check the Hidden Box
In the Font dialog box, under the Effects section, check the box labeled “Hidden.”
This action will mark the selected text as hidden, making it invisible in the document.
Step 5: Confirm Your Selection
Click “OK” to apply the changes and hide the text.
Your selected text should now be hidden, though it is still part of the document.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the text you’ve selected will be hidden from view in the document. However, it’s still there and can be revealed at any time by adjusting the same settings.
Tips for Hiding Text in Word
- Preview with Hidden Text: To view hidden text, go to File > Options > Display, and check “Hidden text.”
- Printing Hidden Text: If you need to print the hidden text, make sure the “Print hidden text” option is checked in the Print settings.
- Keyboard Shortcut: Use Ctrl+Shift+H to quickly hide or unhide selected text.
- Track Changes: If you’re using Track Changes, hiding text will still show it as a change in the reviewing pane.
- Sensitive Information: Be cautious when hiding sensitive information; remember that hidden text can still be easily revealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unhide text in Word?
To unhide text, select the area where the hidden text is located, open the Font dialog box, and uncheck the “Hidden” box.
Can hidden text be searched in Word?
Yes, hidden text can still be searched. You can find it by using the Find function (Ctrl+F) if the “Hidden text” option is enabled.
Will hidden text appear in a PDF?
Hidden text will not appear in a PDF unless you choose to include it during the conversion process.
Is there a limit to the amount of text I can hide?
There is no specific limit to how much text you can hide; you can hide entire paragraphs or just a few words.
How do I know if there is hidden text in a document I received?
You can reveal hidden text by going to File > Options > Display, and then checking the “Hidden text” box.
Summary
- Open your document.
- Select the text.
- Open the Font dialog box.
- Check the Hidden box.
- Confirm your selection.
Conclusion
Hiding text in Word is a useful skill to have up your sleeve. Whether you’re managing drafts, keeping notes out of the way, or temporarily removing text without deleting it, knowing how to hide text can streamline your workflow.
If you’re a student working on a research paper or a professional handling sensitive information, this trick ensures your document looks clean and organized while keeping important text safe.
Feel free to experiment with hiding and unhiding text to see how it can best serve your needs. For more advanced tips and tricks, consider exploring other features in Microsoft Word’s Font and formatting options. Happy editing!
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.