How to Remove a Page Break in Microsoft Word

Understanding Page Breaks

There are two types of page breaks in Microsoft Word:

Automatic Page Breaks

• Occur when content flows beyond the current page, prompting Word to start a new page automatically.

• Example: Text continuing onto a new page without manual intervention.

Manual Page Breaks

• Inserted intentionally by the user to force content onto a new page.

• Example: A blank page created by a manual break, with subsequent content starting on the following page.

Methods to Remove Manual Page Breaks

Method 1: Direct Deletion via Formatting Symbols

1. Navigate to the Home tab.

2. Click the ¶ symbol in the Paragraph menu to reveal non-printable formatting characters.

3. Locate the manual page break (visible as a dotted line labeled Page Break).

4. Select the break and press Backspace to delete it. Content from the next page will flow into the current page.

Method 2: Find & Replace Tool

1. Open the Replace dialog box:

   • Use the shortcut Ctrl + H

   • Or go to Home > Editing > Replace.

2. In the Find what field:

   • Type ^m

   • Or click More > Special > Manual Page Break.

3. Leave the Replace with field empty.

4. Click Find Next to locate breaks, then Replace to delete them.

Key Notes

• Automatic page breaks cannot be manually removed, as they adjust dynamically with content.

• Use formatting symbols (¶) for precise control over manual breaks.

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage page breaks in complex documents.