How do I disable paragraph marks in outlook emails

Brian Rezac 0 Reputation points
2026-08-18T22:10:33.76+00:00

How do I disable paragraph marks in outlook emails

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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Hornblower409 19,070 Reputation points
2026-10-21T06:00:23.68+00:00

@mike_coreit3 said

The Display tab is missing for me, is there any way to get it back?

The answer by Marcin Policht left out a step, you have to be in a New Email window.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/turn-formatting-marks-on-or-off-in-outlook

The path to the setting you want is:

  1. Open a New Email window.
  2. Select File → Options.
  3. Select Mail.
  4. Under Compose messages, click Editor Options...
  5. Select Display.
  6. Look for Always show these formatting marks on the screen

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  1. Marcin Policht 112.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-08-19T01:50:58.9433333+00:00

    You can disable paragraph marks in Outlook by clicking the Show/Hide ¶ button on the Format Text tab while composing a new email. Open a New Email window, click Format Text, and in the Paragraph group, click the ¶ symbol to turn the marks off. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + * (the * on the 8 key).

    If the paragraph marks keep coming back, you can disable them permanently. Go to File > Options > Mail, then click Editor Options under "Compose messages." Select Display on the left, and under Always show these formatting marks on the screen, uncheck Show all formatting marks or specifically uncheck Paragraph marks. Click OK to save the change.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-18T22:10:47.05+00:00

    In Outlook for Windows, paragraph marks are formatting marks. To turn them off while composing an email:

    1. Open an email compose window.
    2. Go to Format Text.
    3. In the Paragraph group, select Show/Hide ¶.

    Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+*.

    If they keep appearing, turn them off in the editor settings:

    1. Open a new email.
    2. Select File > Options > Mail.
    3. Under Compose messages, select Editor Options > Display.
    4. Clear the formatting marks that are enabled, or clear Show all formatting marks.

    These settings persist for future messages, replies, and forwards.

    For Outlook for Mac, in a compose window go to Message and select the paragraph mark button to show or hide paragraph marks.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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