Click in paragraph shows box with a 3-dot handle

clevercat · #1 10-28-2019, 02:31 PM

Sorry about the odd title but I have no idea how to describe it better.

So here's a picture ... see attachment.

Can anyone please tell me what this box is called? And then I can hit Google.

And also, how can I get rid of them but retain the formatting. In other words return the document to a "normal" one?

Any help appreciated.

thanks, James

Stefan Blom · #2 10-28-2019, 03:01 PM

The dots indicate that a content control is present. You can get rid of the control by saving the document in the older *.doc format and then save back to *.docx.

clevercat · #3 10-31-2019, 01:16 AM

Thanks very much Stefan.

There is no (obvious) indicator as to what it is, so you don't even know where to begin searching.

Seems like an option is needed under the controls section for "Unwrap content" or some such rather than the to do the double save.

I'm guessing that when going from .docx to .doc there is the possibility that there might be some other formatting that could be lost.

But for my situation your solution without doubt fixed my problem.

Stefan Blom · #4 10-31-2019, 04:33 AM

Yes, saving in the Word 97–2003 (*.doc) format would get rid of all new features that have been introduced with the *.docx format. For example, the bibliography feature won't be supported, that is, references will be converted to plain text.

Charles Kenyon · #5 10-31-2019, 04:39 AM

With most Content Controls, you can click on the Properties button under the Developer Tab and check the box to delete the control when it is edited. Then type a space at the end of the content.

00 deleteme 1.png

I believe there are utilities that will "flatten" them as well. You are right, it should not be this difficult.

Guessed · #6 10-31-2019, 04:56 PM

It's not that difficult to remove the content control. Just right click it and choose "Remove Content Control".

You can also select a range including multiple CCs and then right click on one of those selected to do the same to several at once.

Stefan Blom · #7 11-01-2019, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guessed

You can also select a range including multiple CCs and then right click on one of those selected to do the same to several at once.

That does sound useful. I wasn't aware that you could delete several content controls at once. Thanks.

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