How to delete a page in word
Last updated: April 1, 2026
Key Facts
- Blank pages are usually caused by page breaks, extra paragraph marks, or section breaks that can be removed
- Word's Show/Hide formatting marks feature reveals non-printing characters like page breaks and paragraph marks
- You can delete a page by selecting its content and pressing Delete, but removing the cause is more effective
- Manual page breaks are inserted with Ctrl+Return and can be deleted by placing cursor before the break and pressing Backspace
- Extra paragraph marks at the end of a document commonly cause unwanted blank pages and can be deleted individually
Understanding Pages in Word
In Microsoft Word, pages are created by content filling up space or by explicit page breaks. A blank page often indicates an unnecessary page break or extra formatting. Before deleting a page, identify why it exists—whether it's from actual content, a page break, or extra paragraph marks.
Method 1: Show Formatting Marks
Enable Show/Hide formatting marks by clicking the ¶ button in the Home tab or pressing Ctrl+*. This reveals page breaks (shown as a dashed line with 'Page Break'), section breaks, and paragraph marks. Identifying these helps you locate and remove the cause of unwanted pages.
Method 2: Delete Page Breaks
If a page break is causing a blank page, place your cursor at the beginning of the page break line. Press Backspace to remove the page break. The content from the next page will move up, eliminating the blank page. This method is most effective for intentional page breaks.
Method 3: Remove Extra Paragraph Marks
Extra paragraph marks at the end of a document create blank space. Enable formatting marks to see them. Place your cursor at the end of the document and delete unnecessary paragraph marks by pressing Backspace repeatedly until the unwanted blank page is gone.
Method 4: Use Find & Replace
Open Find & Replace with Ctrl+H. Search for paragraph marks using ^p in Word desktop or select Paragraph Mark from options. This method works efficiently for documents with multiple unwanted blank pages caused by extra paragraph marks.
Method 5: Check for Hidden Content
Sometimes blank pages result from hidden text or images. Use the Editing pane to find hidden content, or adjust paragraph spacing settings under Format > Paragraph. Setting spacing before and after paragraphs to zero can eliminate extra blank space.
Related Questions
Why does Word keep creating blank pages?
Blank pages often result from automatic page breaks triggered by page setup settings, tables extending to page end, or accumulated paragraph marks. Adjust page margins, modify table properties, or remove extra formatting marks to prevent automatic page creation.
How do I delete a page break in Word?
Enable formatting marks (Ctrl+*) to see page breaks. Place your cursor just before the page break line and press Delete or Backspace. For section breaks, click Format > Breaks to manage them.
Can I delete a page without losing content?
Yes, if the page contains only formatting like page breaks or empty paragraphs. If the page has content you want to keep, cut the content first, then delete the page. You must decide what to keep and what to remove.
Sources
- Microsoft Word Support proprietary