Microsoft Word 2007 - Showing or Hiding Formatting Marks in Word 2007

Over the years, many users have switched from WordPerfect to Microsoft Word. And, they virtually all miss one very cool WordPerfect feature, the ability to reveal formatting marks.

Displaying formatting marks has a couple of benefits. First, it allows you to troubleshoot formatting in your document. Second, you can select formatting options just the same as you would text.

Word will display certain formatting marks. You can see formatting marks for spaces, returns, tabs and tables. The feature isn't as powerful as WordPerfect's. However, it will still save you considerable time.

The formatting marks are helpful when you're editing a document. You will be able to spot inconsistencies at a glance, before you print your document.

You can enable formatting marks in Word 2007 from the Home ribbon. In the Paragraph section, simply click the paragraph symbol. Clicking it again will disable the formatting marks.

You can also have greater control over the formatting marks you see. For example, you can display just the spaces or tab characters, if you’d like.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the Office button

2. Click Display

3. Select the formatting marks you’d like to display

4. Click OK

To disable the formatting marks, open the options again and deselect the formatting marks you want hidden.