Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2002 and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Getting Rid of Blue Squiggly Underlines.
Ivan noted that on his PC the text he writes is frequently "marred" by squiggly underlines in blue. Right-clicking gives him options of Ignore Once, Ignore Rule, or Replace Direct Formatting with Style Normal. Ivan wants to turn off the blue squiggly underlines and is wondering how to do it.
Word likes squiggly underlines—the most common being red (a potential spelling error) and green (a potential grammar error). The latest squiggly underline introduced in Word is blue, which marks formatting inconsistencies. (This type of marking was introduced in Word 2002.) That is why you see the options you do—particularly "Replace Direct Formatting with Style Normal"—when you right-click the underlined word or phrase.
You can turn off this marking by making a configuration change in Word:
Figure 1. The Edit tab of the Options dialog box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3449) applies to Microsoft Word 2002 and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Getting Rid of Blue Squiggly Underlines.
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2020-06-19 13:01:59
Julio Jimenez
Thank you sir. You just help me get rid of this horrible headache.
2019-08-19 20:53:40
This Damn Machine…
I would like to know if there is any way to turn off the format inconsistency indicator (blue wavy line) on a document by document basis, or can it only be activated/deactivated globally? (I am currently using Word 2007, and it appears that the solution to this issue varies among various iterations of the program.)
2019-03-24 06:33:58
Sarah
I do no have a Tool in 2013 on my tabs with options only in documents and there is nothing there
2017-01-07 16:56:01
allen@sharonparq.com
Lois: Click the link at the beginning or end of the article to see a version for later versions of Word.
-Allen
2017-01-07 16:46:34
Lois Churchwell
the tip on this page does NOT show instructions for Word 2016, "how to turn off direct formatting." Please advise.
2016-10-26 11:28:23
Frank D
Thank you! Your work is much appreciated.
2016-10-25 11:59:48
Von Pem
Brilliant site and helped me a lot.
Thank you.
2015-06-23 16:00:00
Jane
Short and sweet. It worked! Thank you so much. Best answer.
2015-02-19 19:54:43
Dina
Great, short and to the point! Thank u :)
2014-09-15 08:36:21
N J
Thank you for helping me maintain my sanity!
2014-08-11 05:44:59
Ernest Bledsoe
Thank you for the tip. I was getting very irritated by the blue squiggly lines. I wish they had a "restore everything to default" button.
2013-02-26 08:20:10
Rose Putnam
Thanks titus+254 for the help.
2013-02-25 07:38:27
titus +254
HI ROSE PUTNAM, HOW ARE YOU..
hope my help ain't late, follow the directives below for Microsoft Office 7
Just click the OFFICE button, on your bottom left you will see word options, click.
Then on the left panel you will see ADVANCED setting, click it, check on the options that pop-up you will see MARK FORMATTING INCONSISTENCIES under KEEP TRACK OF FORMATTING BUTTON.. Then unmark it.
2012-12-21 09:49:12
Rose Putnam
Thank you Allen. My problem is all taken care of now. It was so easy to correct again, thank you.
2012-12-20 20:05:31
awyatt
Rose,
This tip (the one above) is NOT for your version of Word. You need to click the link at the end of the article to take you to the version of the tip for Word 2007.
-Allen
2012-12-20 17:26:45
Rose Putnam
Getting Rid of Blue Squiggly Underlines. I read the instructions and looks pretty simple to turn off formatting inconsistencies. However, try as I might within my word program 7 I cannot find the tools tab that brings up Options. I probably sound stupid but please help. Those blue lines are driving me crazy.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2002 and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
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