Hiding paragraph marks in Outlook cleans up your email composition window significantly. If you have ever wondered how do i get rid of paragraph marks in outlook, you are not alone—these tiny symbols can clutter your screen and make editing feel messy. The good news is that removing them takes only a few clicks, and this guide will show you every method step by step.
How Do I Get Rid Of Paragraph Marks In Outlook
Paragraph marks, also known as pilcrows (¶), are formatting symbols that indicate where you pressed Enter. They are useful for troubleshooting layout issues but can be distracting during regular email writing. Whether you use Outlook for Windows, Mac, or the web version, you can toggle them off quickly. Below, we cover all major methods, including keyboard shortcuts, ribbon settings, and permanent fixes.
Why Paragraph Marks Appear In Outlook
Outlook shows these marks by default when the “Show/Hide ¶” feature is enabled. This feature reveals hidden formatting like spaces, tabs, and line breaks. It helps advanced users see exactly how their email is structured, but for everyday use, it often gets in the way. The symbols do not print or appear to recipients—they only show on your screen while composing.
Method 1: Using The Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest Way)
The quickest way to hide paragraph marks is with a simple keyboard shortcut. This works in Outlook for Windows and Mac, and it toggles the symbols on and off instantly.
- Open any email in Outlook (new message or reply).
- Press Ctrl + Shift + 8 on Windows.
- On Mac, press Command + 8.
- The paragraph marks should disappear immediately. Press the same keys again to bring them back.
This shortcut is the same one used in Microsoft Word, so if you are familiar with it there, you will feel right at home. It is the most efficient way to handle the issue on the fly.
Method 2: Using The Ribbon In Outlook Desktop
If you prefer clicking buttons instead of memorizing shortcuts, the ribbon menu offers a clear toggle. This method works in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365.
- Open a new email or reply to an existing one.
- Look for the Format Text tab in the top ribbon.
- In the Paragraph group, find the Show/Hide ¶ button (it looks like a backward P).
- Click it once to turn off paragraph marks. The button will become unhighlighted.
If you cannot see the button, your ribbon might be collapsed. Double-click the Format Text tab to expand it fully. This toggle is global for the current session—it affects all new emails until you change it again.
Method 3: Disabling Paragraph Marks Permanently In Outlook Options
For users who never want to see these symbols again, you can change a setting in Outlook’s options. This turns off the display permanently, even after restarting the program.
- Go to File > Options in Outlook.
- Select Mail from the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the Compose messages section.
- Click Editor Options.
- In the new window, choose Display on the left.
- Under Always show these formatting marks on the screen, uncheck Paragraph marks.
- Click OK twice to save.
After this, paragraph marks should no longer appear in any email you compose. Note that this setting only affects Outlook, not Word or other Office apps.
Method 4: Hiding Paragraph Marks In Outlook For Mac
Outlook for Mac has a slightly different interface, but the process is just as simple. The keyboard shortcut (Command + 8) works here too, but you can also use the menu.
- Open a new message in Outlook for Mac.
- Click on the Format menu at the top of your screen.
- Select Show/Hide Invisible Characters.
- This toggles paragraph marks and other hidden symbols off.
If you want a permanent fix on Mac, go to Outlook > Preferences > Compose and uncheck the option for showing formatting marks. The exact label may vary by version, but look for “Show paragraph marks” or “Show hidden characters.”
Method 5: Using Outlook On The Web (OWA)
Outlook on the web (browser version) also displays paragraph marks sometimes, especially when you copy text from Word. The web app does not have a dedicated toggle, but you can work around it.
- Open a new message in Outlook.com or your work webmail.
- Click the three dots (more options) in the toolbar.
- Look for Show/Hide formatting marks or similar. Not all versions have this option.
- If you cannot find it, paste your text into Notepad first to remove formatting, then copy it back into the email.
Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + 8 in the web version—it sometimes works if your browser supports it. For most users, the simplest fix is to avoid pasting from Word directly.
Method 6: Removing Paragraph Marks From Pasted Text
Sometimes paragraph marks appear because you copied text from another source, like a Word document or a webpage. Even if you hide the symbols, they may still affect formatting. To clean them out completely, use the “Paste Special” feature.
- Copy the text you want to paste.
- In Outlook, right-click where you want to paste.
- Under Paste Options, choose Keep Text Only (the clipboard with “A”).
- This removes all formatting, including paragraph marks, and pastes plain text.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + V in some versions to paste without formatting. This method is especially useful when you recieve emails with weird spacing.
Common Issues And Troubleshooting
Sometimes the paragraph marks refuse to go away, even after you follow the steps above. Here are a few things to check.
- Check if you are in Reading Pane: The Show/Hide button only works when you are composing or editing an email. It does not affect the reading pane view.
- Restart Outlook: A simple restart can reset the display settings if they got stuck.
- Update Outlook: Older versions may have bugs. Make sure you have the latest update installed.
- Check Word settings: Outlook uses Word as its email editor. If paragraph marks are on in Word, they may carry over. Open Word, go to File > Options > Display, and uncheck Paragraph marks there too.
- Corrupted Normal.dotm template: Rarely, the template file that stores default settings gets corrupted. Resetting it can fix persistent issues. Search online for “reset Normal.dotm Outlook” for detailed steps.
How To Show Paragraph Marks Again When Needed
Even if you prefer them hidden, there are times when you need to see paragraph marks—for example, when debugging a broken layout or removing extra blank lines. To bring them back, simply repeat the same steps in reverse.
- Use Ctrl + Shift + 8 to toggle them on.
- Or click the Show/Hide ¶ button in the ribbon.
- Or go back to Outlook Options and re-check the Paragraph marks box.
Remember that toggling them on and off does not delete the marks—it only hides or shows them. The actual formatting remains in your email, so recipients see the correct line breaks.
Difference Between Paragraph Marks And Other Formatting Symbols
Outlook can show several types of hidden symbols, not just paragraph marks. Understanding them helps you decide which ones to hide.
- ¶ (Pilcrow): Indicates a paragraph break (Enter key).
- · (Dot): Represents a space (Spacebar).
- → (Arrow): Shows a tab character.
- ↵ (Return arrow): A line break within a paragraph (Shift + Enter).
When you toggle the Show/Hide button, it usually hides all of these at once. If you only want to hide paragraph marks but keep others visible, you need to go into the advanced display settings (as shown in Method 3) and uncheck only “Paragraph marks.”
Does Hiding Paragraph Marks Affect Email Delivery Or Appearance?
No. Hiding paragraph marks is purely a visual change on your screen. It does not alter the content of your email, nor does it affect how the recipient sees it. The symbols are only for your editing convenience. You can safely hide them without worrying about breaking anything.
Some users worry that turning off the marks might delete important formatting, but that is not the case. The underlying line breaks and spaces remain intact—you just stop seeing the visual indicators.
Tips For A Cleaner Outlook Experience
Beyond paragraph marks, there are other ways to reduce clutter in your email composition window. Consider these small tweaks.
- Turn off the reading pane: View > Reading Pane > Off gives you more space for writing.
- Use a plain text editor: If you rarely need formatting, switch to plain text mode (Format Text > Plain Text). This eliminates all hidden symbols.
- Reduce font size: Smaller text in the compose window can make the interface feel less crowded.
- Clean up your signature: A long signature with hidden formatting can introduce stray paragraph marks. Recreate it from scratch.
What If The Paragraph Marks Keep Coming Back?
Some users report that paragraph marks reappear after closing and reopening Outlook. This usually happens because of a setting conflict or a third-party add-in. Try these fixes.
- Disable all add-ins: Go to File > Options > Add-ins, then disable non-Microsoft add-ins one by one to find the culprit.
- Repair Office: Run the Office repair tool from Control Panel (Windows) or reinstall Outlook.
- Create a new Outlook profile: Sometimes the profile becomes corrupted. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add a new one.
If nothing works, you can always rely on the keyboard shortcut as a quick fix. It takes less than a second to press Ctrl + Shift + 8 each time you start Outlook.
How To Remove Paragraph Marks From Multiple Emails At Once
If you have a folder full of emails that show paragraph marks in the reading pane, you cannot remove them globally—the marks are part of each email’s formatting. However, you can change your default view settings to hide them.
- Go to View > View Settings in Outlook.
- Click Other Settings.
- Under Reading Pane, uncheck Show paragraph marks if available.
- Click OK twice.
This setting hides paragraph marks in the reading pane for all emails in that folder. Note that this option is not present in all Outlook versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get rid of paragraph marks in Outlook permanently?
Go to File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Display, then uncheck “Paragraph marks.” This turns them off for all future emails until you change it back.
2. Why do I see paragraph marks in Outlook even after turning them off?
This can happen if you have multiple Outlook windows open, or if an add-in overrides your settings. Try restarting Outlook and checking the display settings again.
3. Can I remove paragraph marks from an email I already sent?
No, once an email is sent, you cannot edit it. The paragraph marks are only visible to you during composition—recipients never see them.
4. Does the Ctrl + Shift + 8 shortcut work in Outlook for Mac?
Yes, but use Command + 8 instead. It toggles the same Show/Hide feature.
5. How do I get rid of paragraph marks in Outlook 365?
The steps are identical to other versions: use the ribbon (Format Text > Show/Hide ¶) or the keyboard shortcut. For a permanent fix, go to File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Display.
Final Thoughts
Paragraph marks are a useful tool for advanced editing, but they can be a nuisance for everyday email writing. Knowing how do i get rid of paragraph marks in outlook gives you control over your workspace. Whether you use a quick keyboard shortcut, a ribbon button, or a permanent setting, the solution takes only seconds. Try the methods above and see which one fits your workflow best. With paragraph marks hidden, you can focus on your message without visual distractions.
If you ever need them back for troubleshooting, just toggle the setting again. It is that simple. Now go ahead and clean up your Outlook—you will wonder why you did not do it sooner.