Show or Hide Rulers in Microsoft Word - Easy Guide

Utilizing and Managing Rulers in Microsoft Word

Rulers within Microsoft Word are essential tools for precise positioning of elements like text, images, and tables within your documents. They provide a visual guide for margins and tabs. Occasionally, maximizing document workspace may necessitate concealing these rulers.

When working on smaller displays, temporarily minimizing the Word interface can be beneficial. If the rulers aren't actively being used, they can be easily hidden and subsequently restored as needed.

Ruler Visibility and Print Layout View

The rulers in Word are exclusively visible when the document is in Print Layout view. If the rulers aren’t appearing, and you haven’t intentionally hidden them, ensure you’ve selected this view.

Navigate to the “View” tab and then click the “Print Layout” button located within the Views section to activate this mode.

Hiding or Showing Rulers via the View Tab

The “View” tab also provides direct control over ruler visibility. To conceal the rulers, simply deselect the “Ruler” checkbox found in the Show section.

Conversely, to reinstate the rulers, re-check the “Ruler” box on the same View tab.

Removing the rulers from view expands the available document workspace. Re-enabling them is as simple as checking the “Ruler” box on the View tab.

Controlling Vertical and Horizontal Ruler Display

If you only require the horizontal ruler at the document’s top, but wish to hide the vertical ruler on the left, a specific setting allows for this customization. Begin by clicking the “File” tab.

This action opens the backstage view. Within this view, select “Options” from the list of items presented on the left-hand side.

In the Word Options window, click “Advanced” from the list of options on the left.

Scroll down to the “Display” section. Here, uncheck the box labeled “Show vertical ruler in Print Layout view.”

Click “OK” to confirm the change and close the Word Options dialog box.

With this adjustment, the vertical ruler will no longer be displayed. The horizontal ruler will remain visible if the “Ruler” box is checked on the View tab.

Related: How to Quickly Show or Hide the Ribbon in Office 2013

It’s important to note that if the “Ruler” box within the Show section of the View tab is unchecked, both rulers will be hidden, regardless of the vertical ruler setting.

Further optimizing workspace is possible by hiding the ribbon in Word, providing even more room for document editing.