Working With Hidden Text in Word Documents

The hidden text feature in Microsoft Word hides text in a document. The text remains a part of the document, but it doesn’t appear unless you choose to display it. Combined with printing options, this feature prints two or more versions of a document from one file. In one, you can omit portions of a document by hiding the text. There's no need to save two copies of the same file.

How to Hide Text in Word

To hide text in a Microsoft Word document on a Windows computer:

1. Highlight the portion of text that you want to hide.

2. Right-click the highlighted text, then select Font.

   

3. In the Font dialog box, go to the Font tab.

4. In the Effects section, select the Hidden check box.

   

5. Select OK.

How to Show Hidden Text in Word

To show the text, press Ctrl+A to select the entire document, then right-click the highlighted text and select Font. In the Font dialog box, clear the Hidden check box.

How to Print Hidden Text in Word

You can print the document with or without the hidden text.

1. Go to File > Options.

2. In the Word Options dialog box, go to the left panel and select Display.

3. In the Printing options section, select the Print hidden text check box to print the document including the hidden text.

   Clear the Print hidden text check box to print the document without including the hidden text.

   

4. Select OK.