Can I have non-printing text in MS Word?

August 31, 2007 4:13 AM

Is there a way to make MS Word show text on screen but not print it? 'Hidden text' makes it completely invisible on screen. I don't mean formatting codes, just text. This would be for a CV with a date of last update in a footer. WORD 2003 SP2.
posted by dash_slot- to computers & internet (11 comments total)

"Hidden text" will show if you click on the "show formatting" button ... J
posted by jannw at 4:27 AM on August 31, 2007

not an answer but alternative suggestion - how about putting the date in the file name e.g. cv 070831 or similar?
posted by koahiatamadl at 4:49 AM on August 31, 2007

What about using comments?

1. Select the text or item you want to comment on, or click at the end of the text.

2. On the Insert menu, click Comment.

3. Type the comment text in the comment balloon.

posted by B(oYo)BIES at 5:33 AM on August 31, 2007

B(oyo)BIES -
I so wanted that to work - but sadly the comments *do* print.
posted by dash_slot- at 6:12 AM on August 31, 2007

Erm, you can change some text to "hidden" using the font properties - this will then initially make it vanish from screen and print.

If you go to the options screen (tools>options) on the View tab there is a checkbox for hidden text - if you enable this (i.e. tick it) then the hidden text will appear on-screen, with an underline.

When you print the document (with File>Print...) there is an "Options" button at the bottom; in here, there is a checkbox for hidden text. If this doesn't have a tick in it, then the hidden text will appear on screen, but not on your printed document.
posted by Chunder at 6:43 AM on August 31, 2007

You can enter comments in your doc (turn on the Reviewing toolbar, then click the Insert Comment button).

When you print, select "Print what: Document" and not "Print what: Document showing markup".
posted by pracowity at 7:29 AM on August 31, 2007

Format > Background > Watermark

Type in your last updated date.

Tools > Options > Print > uncheck "drawing objects"

The watermark won't show up in print preview, but will in "print layout" view.
posted by desjardins at 7:31 AM on August 31, 2007

Also, the benefit of the watermark is that you WILL notice if you accidentally print it, because it's smack dab across the page, not at the very bottom.
posted by desjardins at 7:32 AM on August 31, 2007

Yay, thanks Chunder!
pracowity, thanks for the idea but I cannot find "Print what: Document" and not "Print what: Document showing markup" in any menu in Word.
posted by dash_slot- at 7:49 AM on August 31, 2007

It's in my Print window.
posted by pracowity at 9:00 AM on August 31, 2007

O - found it. And it also works. Cheers!
posted by dash_slot- at 10:22 AM on August 31, 2007