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: Removing All Bookmarks.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 25, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Some people absolutely love bookmarks. They do come in handy, but if someone else set bookmarks in a document, you may not need them once you get the document from them. If there are many, many bookmarks set (remember, we are talking about people who really love bookmarks), removing them all one at a time can be rather tedious.
If you find yourself in this situation, you will want to keep the following macro handy. It examines the active document (the one you are looking at) and removes all the bookmarks within it.
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:
Sub RemoveAllBookmarks()
Dim b As Bookmark
For Each b In ActiveDocument.Bookmarks
b.Delete
Next b
End Sub
You should note that this simply deletes the bookmark, not any text referenced by the bookmark. Also note that it deletes all bookmarks in the document, including any that may have been created by Word itself. (Word creates its own hidden bookmarks for various purposes, such as links in a Table of Contents.) If you want to skip the deletion of any bookmarks that Word may have created, then you can modify the macro just a bit:
Sub RemoveUserBookmarks()
Dim b As Bookmark
For Each b In ActiveDocument.Bookmarks
If Left(b.Name,1) <> "_" Then b.Delete
Next b
End Sub
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (9004) 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: Removing All Bookmarks.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
Do you want an easy way to see all the bookmarks in your document? Word provides a way to make them visible, or you can ...
Discover MoreWord allows you to create a cross-reference to several different types of content in your documents. For instance, you ...
Discover MoreBookmarks are quite helpful in a document. You may want to transfer the contents of a bookmark into a macro variable in ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Comments