how to remove a page break in word

3 min read 16-01-2025

Page breaks are useful tools in Microsoft Word, allowing you to force a section to begin on a new page. However, sometimes unwanted page breaks creep in, disrupting your document's flow. This article shows you how to easily remove those pesky page breaks in Word, regardless of your version (Word 2016, 2019, 365, etc.). We'll cover multiple methods to suit different situations and preferences.

Identifying Unwanted Page Breaks

Before you start removing page breaks, it's crucial to locate them. Unwanted page breaks often appear as a dotted line across the page in Print Layout view. If you're not seeing them, make sure you're in Print Layout view (View > Print Layout). They can be sneaky, sometimes appearing between paragraphs where you don't expect them.

Methods to Remove Page Breaks in Word

Here are several ways to eliminate those troublesome page breaks:

Method 1: Deleting the Page Break Directly

This is the most straightforward method. Simply:

Locate the page break: Look for the dotted line indicating the page break.
Place your cursor directly on the page break line.
Press the Delete key. This will remove the page break, moving the following content to the previous page.

This is the quickest method if you can clearly see the page break.

Method 2: Using the "Show/Hide" Paragraph Marks

Sometimes page breaks are less obvious. Turning on the "Show/Hide" paragraph marks can make them easier to spot.

Enable paragraph marks: Click the "Show/Hide" button (¶) on the Home tab. This reveals hidden formatting marks, including page breaks. Page breaks will appear as two lines.
Locate and delete: Find the page break symbol (it looks like two lines) and simply press the Delete key.

This method is beneficial when page breaks are subtly disrupting your document's layout.

Method 3: Removing Page Breaks Through Navigation

For longer documents, navigating directly to the page break can be time-consuming. You can also use the navigation pane to find and remove the page break:

Navigate: Go to the "View" tab and check the "Navigation Pane" box.
Find the Page: Use the Navigation pane to pinpoint the page containing the unwanted page break.
Delete: Once located, return to the main document and delete the page break using the Delete key as described in Method 1.

Method 4: Checking for Widow/Orphan Controls

Sometimes seemingly random page breaks result from Word's widow/orphan controls. These settings prevent single lines of text (widows or orphans) from appearing at the top or bottom of a page. If this is causing your issue:

Access Paragraph Settings: Right-click on the paragraph before the unwanted page break. Select "Paragraph."
Check "Keep lines together" or "Keep with next": In the "Line and Page Breaks" section, check either "Keep lines together" (to prevent single lines from being separated) or "Keep with next" (to keep the paragraph together with the following one). Experiment with both to see what works. Click "OK."

Troubleshooting Persistent Page Breaks

If you've tried these methods and still have unwanted page breaks, consider these possibilities:

Section breaks: Section breaks can sometimes create unexpected page breaks. Review your document for section breaks and adjust their properties if necessary.
Page margins: Tight page margins can force unwanted page breaks. Try slightly increasing your margins.
Tables and images: Large tables or images can also cause unexpected page breaks. Try resizing them or repositioning them.
Headers and footers: Overly large or complex headers and footers might push content onto a new page. Check their contents.

Remember to save your work frequently!

Conclusion

Removing unwanted page breaks in Word is a common task that can significantly improve the readability and professional appearance of your documents. By using these methods, you can quickly and effectively eliminate those annoying page breaks and maintain the intended flow of your text. Remember to always save your work to avoid losing any changes you've made. Removing a page break in Word is often a simple process, but knowing these various techniques will help you solve the problem no matter how it presents itself.