I can't delete an unwanted blank page in a Word 2013 document!

Anonymous
2013-03-24T03:07:14+00:00

I have a document in Word 2013 which is supposed to be one page. Word added a blank page after the first page. I can just print the first page by selecting page one as the only one to print in the printer setup page. However, I got the one wanted page and the one unwanted blank page when I printed out a test sample of the form type document. I printed out the chosen number of the wanted page after I noticed the blank page and reset the printer setup page for the first page only. However to make sure I don't, in the future, accidentally print out numerous unwanted blank pages with the previous stated, or other, wanted documents, I need to know how to remove unwanted blank pages. The stated wanted page ended with a table. I've taken that into consideration in seeking a remedy. I have looked all over the forums and in two books on Word; but, I can't find any remedy that will actually remove the unwanted blank page. I have tried show/hide, delete, backspace, control + end, and a bit of profanity etc. Nothing works. I converted it from a Word (.docx) document to a .pdf in Acrobat XI pro, and then was able to easily delete the unwanted blank page. But, then the fonts didn't look right. So, I would like to find a certain battle plan that will always destroy completely any unwanted blank pages in Word 2013 that I choose to get rid of...

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Anonymous
2016-06-16T00:54:45+00:00

Hi everyone,

We updated and improved our articles about this issue on support.office.com, and wanted to let you know.

The updates include invaluable suggestions from MVP Suzanne S. Barnhill that many of you have found so helpful, along with great new information for getting past this frustrating problem quickly. Take a look!

Best,

-Erik

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Anonymous
2013-03-24T06:38:06+00:00

Without seeing the document it is impossible to know what the problem is, but the most likely explanation is that the previous page is full and the paragraph break at the end forces the page break. You can display and select that paragraph break and format it as 1 point and that may make sufficient space to remove the extra page - or you can add the Print Preview Edit Mode button to the QAT (Quick Access Toolbar) and click that. From the Print Preview ribbon click 'Shrink One Page'.

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-03-13T12:54:50+00:00

    If you are referring to the page thumbnails in the Navigation pane (they are not "documents"), then yes, you can delete a page using the thumbnails, but you don't have to be in Draft view to see the Navigation pane; it works just as well in Print Layout view. And this solution will not work if the cause of the blank page at the end of a document is an empty paragraph after a table that is being forced to the last page.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-20T17:06:59+00:00

    I had this same problem and kind of figured it out (at least for my scenario). 

    Click on the show paragraph marks (or Ctrl+*) and it will show you a bunch of little symbols but mine only showed a Section Break but it would not let me select it or delete it. But if you hold the Ctrl key down and click on the section break, it will highlighted grey and then click delete. Hope it works.

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