How to remove paragraph symbols in outlook

Last Updated: Mar 7, 2024 by

If you use Microsoft Outlook for your email, you may have noticed that sometimes there are strange paragraph symbols that appear in your messages. These symbols can be distracting and make your emails look unprofessional. Luckily, there are a few simple hacks you can use to remove these paragraph symbols in Outlook.

What are paragraph symbols in Outlook?

Before we dive into how to remove these symbols, let’s first understand what they are. Paragraph symbols, also known as pilcrows, are non-printing characters that indicate the end of a paragraph. They are typically used in word processing programs, but can also appear in emails. These symbols can be seen as a backwards “P” and can be found at the end of each paragraph in your email.

Turn off formatting marks

The first step to removing paragraph symbols in Outlook is to turn off formatting marks. These marks are what make the paragraph symbols visible in your emails. To turn them off, go to the “File” tab and select “Options.” Then, click on “Mail” and scroll down to the “Compose messages” section. Here, you will see an option to “Always show formatting marks.” Make sure this option is unchecked and click “OK.” This will remove the paragraph symbols from your emails.

Change the default font

Another way to remove paragraph symbols in Outlook is to change the default font. Sometimes, these symbols appear because of a font compatibility issue. To change the default font, go to the “File” tab and select “Options.” Then, click on “Mail” and scroll down to the “Stationery and Fonts” section. Here, you can select a different font for your emails. Choose a font that is commonly used and compatible with Outlook to avoid any formatting issues.

Use the “Find and Replace” function

If you have already sent an email with paragraph symbols and want to remove them, you can use the “Find and Replace” function in Outlook. Simply open the email, click on “Edit” and select “Find.” In the “Find and Replace” window, type in the paragraph symbol (¶) in the “Find what” field and leave the “Replace with” field blank. Then, click “Replace All” and the paragraph symbols will be removed from your email.

Use a different email client

If you are still having trouble removing paragraph symbols in Outlook, you may want to consider using a different email client. There are many email clients available that offer similar features to Outlook, such as Gmail or Yahoo Mail. These clients may not have the same formatting issues as Outlook and can provide a simpler solution for your email needs.

Conclusion

By following these simple hacks, you can easily remove paragraph symbols in Outlook and improve the appearance of your emails. Whether it’s turning off formatting marks or using a different email client, there are various options available to help you get rid of these symbols. Have you encountered any other Outlook hacks? Let us know in the comments.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.