why is my computer cursor loaded with lines next to it?

[wilsonmarla]

when I move my mouse over a document it loads with a set of horizontal lines
nest to it. What is this or how do I unload it into readable text?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

This indicates that you have "Click and type" enabled. The lines indicate
that if you double-click at that spot the text you type there will be
left-aligned, centered, or right-aligned. Disable "Click and type" (which is
discouraged except for quick-and-dirty fliers and the like) on the Edit tab
of Tools | Options.