Help deleting something on Word please!!!

[cakedup]

I've just finished my dissertation (hurray!)
But there is a horizontal black line (few inches long) that has appeared at the end of the document which I cannot get rid of (boo!).

I can't delete it, I can't even highlight it, I don't know how it got there. I have even tried copying and pasting the essay on to a new word document but the line comes along too even though it's not even highlighted!!

It's like one of those annoying frustrating dreams.

Anyone know how to obliterate it?

Could the document be in a table with the bottom border line showing?

Is it in a footnote? Look under insert/footnote and see I that highlights it?

Have you turned the page markings on and see if it shows up something. On the ribbon at the top there's a backwards P.

No, definitely not in a table. It's just the one line. Right at the end of the document and short in length.

I have tried page markings. I think it is a footnote thing!! Will report back...

Print that page - does the black line get printed?

Have you tried copying and pasting the text into a new document WITHOUT the last paragraph? Then retyping the end bit on the new document?

OR can you turn it white so you cant see it?

Is it a footer? You should be able to click on the Header and Footer tab at the top.

Alternatively move your mouse to it, double click on it and it should open up the footer. Once there you just delete it then double click on the main text again to get back.

Hmm.

I remember how it got there now. A friend of mine edited and wrote a load of footnotes under this line. I've tried deleting it in 'remove footer' but it's still there.

vincentaroony makes no difference, I have to hand it in electronically as well as printed!

Elysianfields I haven't tried that, will give it a go! I don't think I can turn it white because I can't bloody highlight it.

Nothing happens when I double click on it (on the touchpad anyway) it just moves it a bit. I can move it wherever I want. Except to the land of banishment.

I suggested printing to find out if it's part of the markings that show when you have a new paragraph, line break etc. They wouldn't show after printing. Not saying that will solve your problem, but might get you closer to discovering what the problem is!

FFS! Even when I copy everything except the last page, the line still shows up when I paste!! Even when I move the line three pages down, and copy and paste the essay - IT STILL SHOWS UP.

Try going to the review tab and selecting final (not final with mark-up)

Is it a paragraph border?? Highlight the paragraph then there should be something like paragraph group > borders > no border?

Ok, I've done that Meg. It's still there.

word.mvps.org/faqs/formatting/cantgetridofline.htm

I have just message the person who put it there, to ask her what it is.

No suggestions but I'm rooting for you OP. I was still correcting shit like this as I was sitting in the binders before emailing my dissertation to them. Hope you get it sorted!!

Thanks vincentaroony, I have word 2010, so clicked on control Q.

Still there.

Mrsmorton thanks, at least I have til Monday to figure it out!

Surely they can't mark me down for a random black line appearing at the end?

I'd be amazed if they did. Perhaps you could give it it's own footnote saying feel free to fail me if you can remove this stubborn little fucker.

If you type "-" or "_" several times then press return, Word automatically changes the dashes into a black line, like a border. This will copy over if you paste into a new document. There is a way to remove it, but I can't remember how.

Have you got rid of it yet?
(I have PM'd you)
Dan

It's still there. Even ignoring it doesn't help.

I am so tempted Mrsmorton!

Mrsrochesterscat I think that's what vincentaroony's post was about, but have followed the instructions to remove it and it hasn't worked.

I'm starting to think I'm hallucinating.