Under certain circumstances, you may want to remove all content controls in a Microsoft Word document. But you want to keep the content intact. This may be because you want to keep a simple form of the document.
Unfortunately, MS Word does not provide a simple way of removing all content controls in one step.
2 ways to remove All Content controls in MS Word
- Reverting to an older form of Microsoft Word.
- Remove content controls one by one.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Revert to an Older MS Word Version
Warning: This method removes all formatting, styles, and objects not supported by the older version.
Step #1: Open Word Document
Open the Word document where you would like to remove content controls.
Note: We have turned on Design Mode to identify the content controls.
Step #2: Save as an older version
Click on the File tab on the main menu bar.
This opens the File menu.
In the left pane, click on Save As.
This will change the right pane.
In the rightmost pane, click on Documents.
The File Manager will open.
Select a location where you want to store this document.
Next to File name:, select a suitable name for the document.
Click on Word Document next to Select as type: to open a drop-down menu.
Select Word 97-2003 Document, assuming you are using Word 2007 or a higher version of Word.
Click on the Save button at the bottom to save the document.
Word will generate a warning about compatibility.
Click on the Continue button.
Word will save the document with the contents, but without the content controls.
Step #3: Revert back to the latest version
Click on the File tab on the main menu bar.
This opens the File menu.
In the left pane, click on Save As.
This will change the right pane.
In the rightmost pane, click on Documents.
The File Manager will open.
Select a proper location.
Next to File name:, select a suitable name for the document.
Click on Word Document next to Select as type: to open a drop-down menu.
Select Word Document.
Click on the Save tab at the bottom, to save the document.
Word saves the document in the latest format.
The document keeps the contents but does not have any content control.
Method #2: Remove Content Controls One-by-one
This method removes content controls one by one. Word does not offer a more straightforward solution.
Step #1: Open Word Document
Open a Word document where you would like to remove content controls.
Note: We have turned on Design Mode to identify the content controls.
Step #2: Remove a Content Control
Right-click the content control you want to remove.
From the drop-down menu, click on Remove Content Control.
Word removes the content control from the document.
Step #3: Remove the Next Content Control
Repeat Step #2 for the other content controls you want to remove.
Word keeps some content but removes the content controls.
Conclusion
We have shown you two simple ways of removing all content controls from your Word document. If you have a lengthy document with a lot of controls, the first method may be easiest, but know that formatting and styling may also be lost.
For a document or form with a few controls, the second method is best. It is also the better choice if your document has a lot of styling.