Whether you’re a student, professional, or content creator, chances are you’ve used Microsoft Word to draft documents. One common issue users face is accidentally adding an extra page or struggling to delete a blank or unwanted page. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to delete a page in Word, covering all possible scenarios with clear, step-by-step instructions.
Why Do Unwanted Pages Appear in Word?
Before diving into deletion methods, let’s understand why extra pages appear:
- Manual page breaks
- Section breaks
- Extra paragraph marks or line breaks
- Hidden formatting
- Tables or images pushed to a new page
Knowing the cause helps you use the right method to delete the page effectively.
Method 1: Delete a Blank Page in the Middle or End of the Document
You can delete a blank page in the middle or end of the document.
Step-by-Step:
- Open your Word document (.docx).
- Press Ctrl + Shift + 8 to show paragraph marks and hidden formatting.
- Locate the blank page.
- If you see paragraph marks (¶) on that page, select them with your mouse.
- Press Delete or Backspace.
This will remove any unnecessary line breaks or empty paragraphs causing the page.
Method 2: Delete a Page Using Navigation Pane
We can delete a page using navigation pane.
Steps:
- Go to the View tab and enable Navigation Pane.
- Click on Pages in the sidebar.
- Scroll to find the unwanted page.
- Click on the page and delete the content manually.
Useful when you want to quickly find and delete specific pages with content.
Method 3: Delete a Page with Content
You can also delete a page with content.
Steps:
- Place your cursor at the beginning of the page you want to delete.
- Click and drag the cursor to the end of that page to highlight all content.
- Press Delete.
Make sure only the content of the specific page is selected, especially in large documents.
Method 4: Delete a Page Break or Section Break
You can also delete a page break or section break.
Steps:
- Enable formatting marks using Ctrl + Shift + 8.
- Look for Page Break or Section Break on the page.
- Select it and press Delete.
Be cautious with Section Breaks, as they may alter formatting in the document.
Method 5: Reduce Table Size to Remove the Last Page
If a large table is pushed to a new page:
- Reduce the font size of the last row.
- Adjust row height to make the table fit on the previous page.
- Delete any remaining paragraph marks.
Method 6: Use Backspace from Start of Next Page
You can use backspace from start of next page.
- Go to the top of the page following the one you want to delete.
- Press Backspace until the page is removed.
Simple yet effective when dealing with empty or semi-empty pages.
Deleting a Page on Mac (macOS)
To delete a page on MAC follow this:
Steps:
- Press Command + 8 to reveal paragraph marks.
- Select all content or empty marks on the unwanted page.
- Press Delete.
Works in Microsoft Word for Mac, part of the Office 365 Suite.
Tips to Avoid Extra Pages in the Future
Here is how you avoid extra pages in word:
- Always check for extra paragraph marks.
- Avoid excessive Enter key presses at the end of the document.
- Be careful with Copy-Paste operations that may carry hidden formatting.
- Use “Clear All Formatting” from the Home tab to reset content.
Final Thoughts
Deleting a page in Word might seem tricky, but with the right approach, it’s easy to manage. Whether it’s a blank page, a content-filled page, or one created due to formatting issues, you now have the tools to keep your document clean and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How do I delete a blank page at the end of my Word document?
A: Show paragraph marks using Ctrl + Shift + 8 and delete any extra markers or page breaks at the end.
Q2: Why can’t I delete a page in Word?
A: It might have hidden content like section breaks or table formatting. Turn on formatting symbols to check.
Q3: How to delete multiple pages at once?
A: Highlight all the pages’ content and press Delete. Use Navigation Pane for easier selection.