Remove Field Shading in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

When working with forms and documents in Microsoft Word, it's not uncommon to encounter empty text form fields with gray shading. While these fields are helpful for data collection purposes, they can sometimes be distracting or unwanted when printing your document. In this article, we'll explore how to prevent empty text form fields from printing and remove the gray shading that comes with them.

Preventing Hidden Text from Printing

To start, you'll need to print your document in the usual manner. This will ensure that all content, including hidden text, is included in the printout. Once printed, click on the 'Print' tab and select the 'Hidden Text' checkbox. Clicking 'OK' will prevent any hidden text from printing, which includes empty text form fields with gray shading.

Removing Form Field Shading

If you've already printed your document and want to remove the gray shading from existing form fields, you can do so by switching back to Design Mode. To toggle off Design Mode, click on the 'Design Mode' button in the Controls group. This will remove the gray shading from all form fields, including legacy fields.

Removing Legacy Field Shading

Legacy form fields are a type of field that uses an older design format and can be identified by their gray shading. To remove the shading from these fields, follow these steps: On the Developer tab, click on 'Design Mode' to toggle it on. Then, right-click on the legacy field and select 'Toggle Field Codes.' This will replace the field codes with the text they contained.

Removing a Text Form Field

If you no longer need a particular text form field in your document, you can easily remove it by selecting all the text within the document using CTRL+A on your keyboard. Right-clicking on the selected text and clicking 'Toggle Field Codes' will replace the field codes with the actual text they contained.

In conclusion, removing field shading in Word is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps. By following the instructions outlined above, you can prevent empty text form fields from printing, remove gray shading from existing form fields, and even eliminate legacy field shading. With these tips, you'll be able to create professional-looking documents with ease.

Remove field shading in word