Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Changing a Heading to Body Text.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 15, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Word contains a powerful outlining system that allows you to quickly make changes to document structure. You do this in Outline view, which is most easily invoked by clicking on the Outline view button on the status bar. When you enter Outline view, Word displays the Outlining tab on the ribbon. You use the controls on the tab to change indentation levels for your outline.
Besides headings, you may have body text within your document. You may wish to change a current heading to body text. You can do this in any of these ways, after positioning the insertion point on the heading you want to change:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5335) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Changing a Heading to Body Text.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
When working with the outline of a document, you can easily move whole sections of your document. It is as easy as ...
Discover MoreWhen you need to get around a long document, a really helpful method is to use the Outline view built into Word. This tip ...
Discover MoreWhen working in Outline view, you'll undoubtedly have the need to expand or condense information under your headings. It ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2024-02-16 01:46:43
JOHANN SWART
Hi Allen,
I have formulated a template with predefined layout and styles, which needs to be distributed to several users. To ensure the proper use of this template, the non-printing characters, fields, and margins need to be visible. To make this easy for the user, I have compiled two macros that (i) switch on and (ii) switch off these non-printing visual aids when not necessary.
Is it possible to make this macro an inherent part of the template so that when the user opens it, the "switch on" macro is run? If yes, can you please guide me in achieving this?
I include the two macros for information.
I am using Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019
Regards
Johann Swart
Sub ShowBorderAndNPC()
'
' ShowBorderAndNPC Macro
' Macro recorded 2007/02/24 by Johann Swart
'
Application.DisplayStatusBar = True
With ActiveWindow
.DisplayHorizontalScrollBar = True
.DisplayVerticalScrollBar = True
.DisplayLeftScrollBar = False
.StyleAreaWidth = CentimetersToPoints(0)
.DisplayVerticalRuler = True
.DisplayRightRuler = False
.DisplayScreenTips = True
With .View
.ShowAnimation = True
.Draft = False
.WrapToWindow = False
.ShowPicturePlaceHolders = False
.ShowFieldCodes = False
.ShowBookmarks = True
.FieldShading = wdFieldShadingAlways
.ShowTabs = False
.ShowSpaces = False
.ShowParagraphs = False
.ShowHyphens = False
.ShowHiddenText = False
.ShowAll = True
.ShowDrawings = True
.ShowObjectAnchors = True
.ShowTextBoundaries = True
.ShowHighlight = True
End With
End With
ActiveWindow.View.TableGridlines = Not ActiveWindow.View.TableGridlines
End Sub
Sub HideBorderAndNPC()
'
' HideBorderAndNPC Macro
' Macro recorded 2007/02/24 by Johann Swart
'
Application.DisplayStatusBar = True
With ActiveWindow
.DisplayHorizontalScrollBar = True
.DisplayVerticalScrollBar = True
.DisplayLeftScrollBar = False
.StyleAreaWidth = CentimetersToPoints(0)
.DisplayVerticalRuler = True
.DisplayRightRuler = False
.DisplayScreenTips = True
With .View
.ShowAnimation = True
.Draft = False
.WrapToWindow = False
.ShowPicturePlaceHolders = False
.ShowFieldCodes = False
.ShowBookmarks = False
.FieldShading = wdFieldShadingNever
.ShowTabs = False
.ShowSpaces = False
.ShowParagraphs = False
.ShowHyphens = False
.ShowHiddenText = False
.ShowAll = False
.ShowDrawings = True
.ShowObjectAnchors = False
.ShowTextBoundaries = False
.ShowHighlight = True
End With
End With
ActiveWindow.View.TableGridlines = Not ActiveWindow.View.TableGridlines
End Sub
2024-02-15 08:23:45
Timothy J. McGowan
In the version of Word we have, and with the myriad policies set in our workplace, Outline View is not found on our Word status bar. We can go to View, then Outline View.
To address the comment from gggggg, the Demote to Body Text tool is found on the Outlining ribbon; it's a double-headed green arrow pointing to the right in our American English version of Word.
2020-10-30 17:45:30
ggggggg
You explained everything except how to find the all-important Demote to Body Text tool.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
Comments