How to Show Invisibles & Formatting Marks in Google Docs

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to reveal hidden formatting characters and line breaks in Google Docs
PDF download Download Article

Do you need to see hidden formatting characters in Google Docs? You can easily show line breaks, paragraph markers, carriage returns, and other invisible formatting symbols by selecting "Show non-printing characters" from the View menu. [1] ! This wikiHow article teaches you how to show invisible characters in Google Docs.

Things You Should Know

  • To show invisible characters, click the "View" tab and select "Show non-printing characters."
  • You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + P (PC) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac).
  • Showing non-printing characters displays hidden paragraph markers, page breaks, section breaks, line breaks, column breaks, tabs, and spaces.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://docs.google.com/document and log in. You can only see invisible characters when using Google Docs in a web browser on your computer. This won't work in the mobile app.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the multicolored plus sign to create a new document, or click one you already have to open.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the top of your document.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Show-Invisibles-in-Google-Docs-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + P (PC) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) to instantly show hidden paragraph markers, line breaks, section breaks, column breaks, tabs, and spaces. [2]
    • To hide these characters again, return to View and select Show non-printing characters or press the keyboard shortcut again.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      4 Easy Ways to Download and Save Google Docs
      How to
      Make a Google Spreadsheet: Beginners Guide
      How to
      Alphabetize in Google Docs: 4 Simple Methods
      How to
      Share Google Docs
      9 Easy Steps to Flip an Image in Google Docs
      3 Simple Ways to Make a Signup Form on Google Docs
      How to
      Save a Google Doc
      How to
      Put a Box Around Text in Google Docs
      How to
      Use Google Sheets: The Ultimate Guide for Getting Started
      How to
      Convert a Google Doc to a PDF on iPhone or iPad
      2 Easy Ways to Move Images in Google Docs in 2 Ways
      How to
      Download Images from a Google Doc
      How to
      Make a Brochure Using Google Docs: Quick Guide
      How to
      Upload a Document to Google Docs on PC or Mac
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2023/01/%20non-printing-characters-google-docs.html
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6367684?hl=en

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 13,474 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement