How to Reveal Formatting Marks and Codes in Word

This article explains two ways to reveal the formatting marks and codes in a Microsoft Word document. It also includes information on the Reveal Formatting panel. These instructions apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.

Temporarily Show Formatting Symbols

Microsoft Word uses bullets, numbered lists, page breaks, margins, columns, and more. To see how Word structures a document, view the formatting marks and codes associated with the text.

Quick-view the formatting Word uses in a document by toggling the feature on and off when you need it. Here's how.

1. To reveal the formatting symbols, go to the ribbon and select Home.

2. In the Paragraph group, select Show/Hide (the icon looks like a paragraph mark).

3. The formatting symbols appear in the document and each symbol is represented by a specific mark:

   • Spaces display as dots.
   • Tabs are indicated with arrows.
   • The end of each paragraph is marked with a paragraph sign.
   • Page breaks display as dotted lines.

4. To hide the formatting symbols, select Show/Hide.

Permanently Show Formatting Symbols

If you find that having the formatting symbols visible makes working with Word easier and you want to have them visible all the time, here's how to change the setting:

1. On the ribbon, select File.

2. Choose Options.

3. In the Word Options dialog box, select Display.

4. In the Always show these formatting marks on the screen section, select Show all formatting marks.

5. Select OK to save your changes.

Display the Reveal Formatting Panel

To find more information about the formatting of a Word document, display the Reveal Formatting panel.

1. Press Shift+F1 on the keyboard to display the Reveal Formatting panel.

2. To view information about a portion of the document, select that text.

3. In the Reveal Formatting panel, select a link to see detailed information about the formatting components and to make changes to the formatting.

4. To close the panel, select X.