thanks for your help. your suggestion was helpful but it did not help me.
thanks anyways. i did however figure out how to fix my problem. i got mad and
started to reset and go back to the default in word. my insertion point came
back and the formating symbol went away.
thanks again, harvey

"Herb Tyson [MVP]" wrote:

The backwards P is a paragraph mark. It shows where the Enter key has been
pressed. Many of us like having non-printing characters displayed, because
it provide more information about the document, and exactly what it
contains.

In any event, check Tools - Options - View - Formatting Marks.

If All is checked, then you'll see all 5 of the indicated marks. If none of
the other 5 are checked, then pressing Ctrl+Shift+8 (also note the backwards
P tool on the standard toolbar) will toggle all five on/off. If any of them
are checked, then Ctrl+Shift+8 works only on those that are unchecked.

--
Herb Tyson MS MVP
http://www.herbtyson.com
Please respond in the newsgroups so everyone can follow along.
"harvey" wrote in message
...
i am using ms office xp pro 2002. i don't know what was pushed. when i
start
typing the formating mark (backwards p) shows up. i tried to trun it off
by
the tool bar but when i turn it off the insertion point cusor is missing.
i
can't figure out to just use word with the insertion point cursor only.
this
is how i have been using it, and i like it that way. my mom-in-law said i
should just uninstall office and reload it. any ideas? thanks