How to Delete an Extra Page in Word

Have you ever finished writing a document in Microsoft Word, only to find an extra page at the end that you can’t seem to get rid of? It can be frustrating, but fear not! In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of delete an extra page in Word. Follow these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have your document looking clean and professional in no time.

Step 1: Identifying the Extra Page

Before we can delete the extra page, we need to identify it. Scroll through your document and look for any empty or blank pages at the end. These pages might not contain any visible content, but they are still counted as part of your document.

Step 2: Adjusting Page Margins

Sometimes, an extra page can be caused by incorrect page margins. To fix this, click on the “Layout” tab in the Word toolbar. Then, click on “Margins” and select “Custom Margins.” In the dialog box that appears, adjust the top and bottom margins to a smaller value. This should help to eliminate any extra space that might be causing the additional page.

Step 3: Deleting Manual Page Breaks

Another common cause of extra pages in Word is the presence of manual page breaks. To check for and delete these breaks, go to the “Home” tab in the toolbar. Click on the ¶ button to display non-printable characters, including page breaks. Look for a page break symbol (¶) at the end of the content on the previous page. If you find one, simply place your cursor before the page break and press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.

Step 4: Adjusting Paragraph Formatting

Sometimes, the formatting of a paragraph can cause an extra page to appear. To check for this, place your cursor at the end of the content on the previous page. Press the “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys on your keyboard simultaneously, and then press the “Enter” key. This will display the formatting symbols for the paragraph. Look for any extra paragraph marks (¶) or line breaks (↵) that might be causing the extra page. Delete these formatting marks to remove the unwanted page.

Step 5: Removing Blank Spaces

In some cases, a blank space at the end of a document can result in an extra page. To remove this space, place your cursor at the end of the content on the previous page. Press the “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys on your keyboard simultaneously, and then press the “End” key. This will select all the blank space at the end of your document. Press the “Delete” key to remove the space and the extra page.

Step 6: Adjusting Pagination Settings

If none of the previous steps have resolved the issue, it’s possible that the pagination settings in your document are causing the extra page. To adjust these settings, go to the “Layout” tab in the toolbar. Click on “Paragraph” and select “Line and Page Breaks.” In the dialog box that appears, uncheck the “Page break before” option. This will prevent Word from inserting additional page breaks and should eliminate the extra page.

Video Tutorial to delete an extra page in Word

Conclusion

Deleting an extra page in Word can be a frustrating experience, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s a problem that can be easily solved. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can quickly identify and remove any unwanted pages from your document. Remember to check for incorrect page margins, manual page breaks, paragraph formatting issues, blank spaces, and pagination settings. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll have your document looking polished and professional in no time.