How to Get Rid of an Extra Page in Word

An unwanted page in Microsoft Word is usually caused by extra paragraph marks, a manual page break, a section break, or content that does not fit on the previous page. The safest fix is to identify the cause before deleting anything, especially if the document uses section-specific headers, footers, or page numbering.

Save the document before editing. The steps below apply to Word for Windows and Mac; button names and menu paths may differ slightly by version. Word for the web has fewer layout controls, so open the file in the desktop app if you cannot find a setting.

What You’ll Need

A copy of the Word document, preferably saved before changes
Microsoft Word, or Word for the web for basic editing
A way to display formatting marks, which reveal otherwise hidden breaks and empty paragraphs

Step-by-Step

Save a working copy. Use Save As or make a duplicate before changing the layout. This makes it easy to restore section formatting or text if removing a break affects more than the extra page.
Go to the unwanted page. Click anywhere on it. If you are unsure where it begins, use the navigation pane or scroll to the page, then click near the top of the blank area.
Show formatting marks. On the Home tab, select the paragraph-mark button (¶). In many versions, Ctrl+Shift+8 on Windows or Command+8 on Mac toggles these marks. They are not printed; they show paragraph endings, spaces, and breaks so you can see what is taking up the page.
Check for empty paragraphs. If the page contains one or more paragraph marks (¶) and no other content, select the extra marks and press Backspace or Delete. Work carefully: deleting a paragraph mark between two sections of text can join their formatting or paragraphs.
Remove a manual page break. If you see a line labeled “Page Break,” click just before it and press Delete, or just after it and press Backspace. Check the surrounding text afterward, since removing the break allows the following content to move up and may change pagination.
Inspect section breaks before changing them. A “Section Break (Next Page),” “Odd Page,” or “Even Page” may intentionally start a new section. Deleting it can alter headers, footers, margins, columns, or page numbering. If the section is needed but should not start a new page, place the cursor in that section and change its start setting to Continuous using Layout or Page Setup options. Menu paths vary by version. Review the document’s formatting afterward.
Check a table at the end of the document. Word requires a paragraph after a table. If that required paragraph has moved onto a new page, click its paragraph mark and reduce its font size or paragraph spacing. You can select the mark and set a very small font size, or open Paragraph settings and reduce spacing. Do not delete the required mark; the goal is to make it fit on the previous page.
Look for content that is pushing onto the page. A large image, oversized spacing, or a paragraph set to start on a new page can create what looks like a blank page. Select the nearby paragraph and inspect Paragraph settings for “Page break before,” “Keep with next,” or “Keep lines together.” Change only the setting that is causing the unwanted move.
Confirm the result and save. Turn off formatting marks, check the pages around the change, and make sure headings, tables, headers, and page numbers still look right. Save the document when the layout is correct.

Common Mistakes

Deleting a section break without checking its purpose. Section breaks can control different headers, footers, columns, margins, and numbering. Removing one may fix the page but disturb formatting elsewhere.
Deleting text instead of the cause. A blank page can look empty while a hidden break is responsible. Turn on formatting marks before selecting and deleting.
Using repeated Backspace presses blindly. This may remove useful paragraph marks or pull text into the wrong section. Identify the mark or break first and remove only what is unnecessary.
Assuming every blank page is accidental. Odd-page or even-page section starts can intentionally leave a blank page so a new section begins on the correct side for printing.
Resizing the page or margins as a first fix. That can change the whole document’s appearance. Check the local break, paragraph, or object before changing overall page layout.

Tips

Use the ¶ button again to hide formatting marks; they are editing aids and do not appear in print.
Check Print Preview or the print layout after making a change. The document view and printed pagination can differ depending on the app and printer settings.
If the page contains text or an image you want to keep, adjust spacing or placement rather than deleting the content.
Use Undo immediately if the change affects several pages unexpectedly. Then inspect the break type and try a more targeted adjustment.
When sharing a document, consider exporting a PDF after confirming the page count and layout. Keep the editable Word file as well.

Troubleshooting

The page is still there after deleting a break: Turn formatting marks back on and inspect the page and the end of the preceding page. There may be several empty paragraphs, another break, or a paragraph setting that forces content onto a new page.

The page disappears but formatting changes: Undo the edit. If a section break was involved, restore it and change the section’s start type instead, or adjust the relevant header, footer, or page-number settings deliberately.

The final page is blank after a table: Select the paragraph mark after the table and reduce its font size or spacing so it fits on the previous page. The mark is required by Word, so removing it is not the right fix.

The page returns when you edit nearby text: The content may simply be too long for the available space, or a keep-together setting may be moving it. Review paragraph spacing, page-break options, images, and table dimensions. A small change to spacing or object size may prevent the overflow.

You cannot find the same controls: Word’s interface varies by version and platform. Search the app’s Help for formatting marks, section breaks, or paragraph pagination settings, or open the document in the desktop version for additional layout options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I delete a blank page at the end of Word?

Show formatting marks, then remove extra paragraph marks or a manual page break at the end. If a table ends the document, make its required final paragraph small enough to fit on the previous page.

Why does Word add a blank page after a section break?

A section set to start on an odd or even page may require Word to leave a page blank. If that is not what you want, change the section start type to Continuous or Next Page as appropriate, and review the resulting layout.

Can I remove an extra page without changing the formatting?

Often, yes, if the cause is an empty paragraph or an unnecessary manual page break. Section breaks can control formatting, so inspect them before deletion and check the surrounding pages afterward.

Why is the blank page visible but not marked as a page break?

It may be caused by empty paragraphs, a table’s required ending paragraph, paragraph pagination settings, or content that has overflowed. Formatting marks and Paragraph settings help distinguish these causes.

Will formatting marks appear in a printed document?

No. Paragraph marks and break indicators are nonprinting guides. Turn them off with the ¶ button if you prefer a cleaner editing view.

Can I fix an extra page in Word for the web?

You can remove basic extra paragraphs and visible page breaks in Word for the web. Some section and pagination controls may be limited, so open the document in the desktop app if the page remains.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.