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

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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. Stefan Blom 353K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-12-02T14:25:45+00:00

    If you want a heading to start a new page, format it as "Page break before" instead of inserting a manual page break.

    The symbol you see on the new page after you have added a page break should be a ¶. It's called a pilcrow and it represents a paragraph mark, which marks the end of each paragraph (and stores paragraph-level formatting). With nonprinting marks shown (click the ¶ button on the Home tab), you should see it after every paragraph in your document.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-02T11:09:01+00:00

    I had the same problem.

    When I added a manual page break (CTRL-Enter) at the end of a chapter, a new blank page was created, with only a backslash (Enter) on that page. When I tried to remove the backslash, the blank page was removed, but also the heading from the next chapter. So no more Capital, Bold and chapternumber. Adding a new heading was possible, but then the page break disappeares.

    I found out that the page break should be done at the beginning of the new heading from the next chapter. Then go to "Paragraph", "Line and Page Breaks" and then remove the check at "Page Break before".

    I thing that my solution will also help for a section break.

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