You typed in three hyphens (—) in Microsoft Word and pressed Enter, and then it automatically changes into a horizontal line. Now you’re having trouble removing what you think is the horizontal rule <hr> tag from Microsoft Word. You couldn’t delete it with the backspace key or the delete key, and you couldn’t select and highlight it with the cursor.

The Problem:

This is actually an auto-format feature in Microsoft Word that creates a border for a document whenever you type in three hyphens (-) and press enter. This seemingly irremovable, instant horizontal line will also show up it you type in three underscores (_), three pound signs (#), three equal signs (=), or three tildes (~) in a row and press Enter.

How to Fix:

Microsoft Word 2003 (or earlier):

1. Place your cursor above the horizontal line.
2. From your menu, choose Format >> Borders and Shading >> None >> Ok

Microsoft Word 2007 (or 2010) Screenshots

1. Place your cursor above the horizontal line.
2. From the menu, click Page Layout.
3. Once you’ve selected Page Layout, click on Page Borders.
4. Select the Borders Tab.
5. Select None, and then click Ok.

How to turn off the auto-format feature for borders:

You can fix it so that Microsoft Word won’t create the horizontal line borders. See screenshots below of how to shut off the auto-format feature.

Click on the auto-format lightning-bolt box near the newly created horizontal line:

Choose Control AutoFormat Options:

Uncheck the checkbox for Border Lines:

Click Ok and you’re finished!

Remove the horizontal line in Word 2007 (or 2010)

Step 1
Place your cursor above the horizontal line.

Step 2
From the menu, click Page Layout.

Step 3
Once you’ve selected Page Layout, click on Page Borders.

Step 4
Select the Borders Tab.

Step 5

Select None, and then click Ok.

 
Let me know in the comments below if this tutorial helped you out. I was so frustrated the first time this happened to me, but these steps helped me right through it.