WD: How to Show/Hide Hidden Text

ID: Q132260

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SUMMARY

This article explains how to show or hide hidden text in your document using the menu option or by using a macro.

NOTE: Word 5.x for the Macintosh had a Show Hidden Text command. This command is no longer available in Word for the Macintosh and has not been available in Word for Windows.

MORE INFORMATION

Use one of the following methods to show or hide hidden text in your document:

Method 1: Manually Toggle Hidden Text Viewing

1. On the Tools menu, click Options (click Preferences in Word 98 Macintosh

   Edition).

2. Click the View tab.

3. Under Nonprinting Characters, click to select or clear the Hidden Text

   check box.

4. Click OK.

Method 2: Create a Macro to Toggle Hidden Text

The following sample macro toggles hidden text on and off. Use the appropriate macro for your version of Word.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/

The following WordBasic sample macro toggles hidden text on and off:

   Sub Main
      Dim dlg As ToolsOptionView
      GetCurValues dlg
      If dlg.Hidden = 1 ' If turned on,
         dlg.Hidden = 0 ' turn it off,
      Else
         dlg.Hidden = 1 ' else turn it on.
      End If
      ToolsOptionsView dlg ' Force update.
   End Sub

Keywords          : kbmacro kbprg kbui kbdtacode wordnt kbmacroexample ntword macword word6 word7 word95 kbformat 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:6.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Hardware          : PPC
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999