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!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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!

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

51 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Stefan Blom 353K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-11-19T00:24:48+00:00

    I had the same problem and tried all of the work-arounds....  Eventually I realized what I had been doing wrong is putting the break at the BOTTOM of the page after which I wanted to start page-numbering.  Put it at the TOP of the page and follow the Stefan Blom's instructions.  

    Most likely, during your initial attempts, the section break ended up in a different location from where you wanted it. Note that displaying nonprinting marks (use the ¶ button on the Home tab) will be very helpful when working with section breaks.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-15T20:01:44+00:00

    I had the same problem and tried all of the work-arounds....  Eventually I realized what I had been doing wrong is putting the break at the BOTTOM of the page after which I wanted to start page-numbering.  Put it at the TOP of the page and follow the Stefan Blom's instructions.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments