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Each of us has a preferred layout and setup when we are working with Microsoft Word, but what if something you like and rely on has disappeared? Today's SuperUser Q&A post helps a frustrated reader get their Microsoft Word layout back to just the way they like it.

Today’s Question & Answer session comes to us courtesy of SuperUser—a subdivision of Stack Exchange, a community-driven grouping of Q&A web sites.

The Question

SuperUser reader Bilo wants to know how to re-enable the formatting icons (Crop Marks) in Microsoft Word:

I am missing the "L" shaped formatting (layout?) icons in Microsoft Word and have no idea of how to get them back. The screenshot that I found shows the missing parts in red circles:

how-do-you-get-the-l-shaped-formatting-icons-back-in-microsoft-word-01

How can I re-enable these formatting icons so that they will be displayed once more? They look like the corners of a box.

How do you re-enable the formatting icons (Crop Marks) in Microsoft Word?

The Answer

SuperUser contributor Primoz has the answer for us:

Those are called Crop Marks and you can enable them via File > Options > Advanced > Show Crop Marks (in the Show Document Content section).

This is equally useful if you happen to dislike the Crop Marks and want to hide them.


Have something to add to the explanation? Sound off in the comments. Want to read more answers from other tech-savvy Stack Exchange users? Check out the full discussion thread here.