How can I remove the blank page after section break?

Anonymous
2010-09-01T15:46:18+00:00

Don't want blank page between different sections in draft document ("next page" section breaks). Tried hiding and tried changing paragraph symbol font size to 1. Still getting blank page. UGH!

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Stefan Blom 353K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2010-09-01T18:04:14+00:00

Under certain circumstances, the section break, or actually the blank paragraph containing the section break, may cause an extra page (this might happen below a table, for example). Formatting it as 1 pt font size, exact line spacing 1 pt, zero spacing before/after should fix it. You may also want to format it as hidden text. In fact, you can create a paragraph style with those characteristics and apply it to the empty paragraph in question.

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Anonymous
2012-08-18T08:09:57+00:00

Don't want blank page between different sections in draft document ("next page" section breaks). Tried hiding and tried changing paragraph symbol font size to 1. Still getting blank page. UGH!

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Stefan Blom 353K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2010-12-31T18:46:25+00:00

The workaround you have found is documented in the article at http://word.mvps.org/faqs/formatting/WorkWithSections.htm.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-15T12:16:58+00:00

    Hello, I know this problem. Do you mean that when you delete this "section brak (next page)" that the layout of the page before the blank pages, changes (eg line spacing, portrait goes to landscape or other changes)? 

    Then, you can change the page layout settings of this last blank page, to match the page layout settings of you previous page. If you then delete the "Section Break (next page)", nothing will change and your blank page is gone.

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  2. Stefan Blom 353K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-14T21:03:17+00:00

    Adding, or removing, section breaks should only be done when it is necessary (since sections add complexity to the document). More importantly, since breaks are not the only reason for excessive blank pages, you must look into other factors as well.

    To see what is going on, start with displaying nonprinting marks, for example by clicking the ¶ button on the Home tab. If you see paragraph marks (¶) taking up space on a seemingly blank page, just delete those.

    If an extra page follows after a table, the reason is usually that the paragraph mark after the table has been pushed onto the final page. In this case, you can format the paragraph mark as hidden text. As soon as you hide nonprinting marks, the extra page should go away.

    All of the above is discussed in more detail in Suzanne's article that I have already linked to.

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