Prevent hidden text from printing in Word

by Mary Ann Richardson | Apr 20, 2005 1:00:00 AM

Tags: Word processors, Microsoft Office, printing, Mary Ann Richardson, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office Suite Word Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: If you need to print Word documents that contain sensitive information or notes that you don't want to be made public, you can simply hide the text that you don't want printed. Learn how to prevent hidden text from printing.

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While you're in the midst of working on a draft, you may need to print the Word document. However, what if your document contains portions of sensitive data or various notes that haven't been polished into their final version yet?

Rather than deleting the text you don't want printed, you can simply hide the text. To do so, select the text and press [Ctrl][Shift][H]. This will prevent the selected text from being printed or displayed on the screen.

When the time comes when you need to print the hidden text, follow these steps:

1. Go to Tools | Options.
2. Click the Print tab, select the Hidden Text checkbox and click OK.
3. Print your document in the usual manner.

To unhide the text, make it visible on the screen by clicking the Show/Hide button, selecting the hidden text, and simply pressing [Ctrl][Shift][H] once again.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

I've never tried this before DougOfCBS | 04/21/05

Yes amcol | 04/21/05

It Does Work joy.peacock@... | 04/21/05

Cool!!! jbanwarth@... | 05/06/05

Working with Hidden text shagman | 05/02/05