How to Delete a Page in Word: Easy Steps for Beginners to Advanced Users

Ever found yourself stuck with an extra blank page in your Word document and wondering how to delete a page in Word? It’s one of those small frustrations that can be surprisingly common. Whether it’s an empty page at the end of your document or an extra space in the middle, figuring out how to delete a page in Microsoft Word can feel like a mystery. So, how can you remove unwanted pages without disrupting your entire layout?

While both Microsoft Office Home 2024 and Microsoft 365 provide access to the classic apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, there are notable differences that you should consider before making your decision.

In this guide, we’ll walk through different ways to delete pages in Word, from quick shortcuts to more advanced methods. No matter what you’re working on—a report, a resume, or a presentation—knowing how to delete pages can help keep your documents polished and professional. Plus, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people have about formatting in Word, making sure you’re fully equipped to handle unwanted pages like a pro.

Microsoft Office Home 2024 | Classic Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• [Ideal for One Person] — With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
• [Classic Office Apps] — Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.
• [Desktop Only & Customer Support] — To install and use on one PC or Mac, on desktop only. Microsoft 365 has your back with readily available technical support through chat or phone.
• [Consider Microsoft 365 Personal] — Ideal for one person, with a Microsoft 365 Personal 12-month subscription, get access to all the classic office apps and more, including 1TB of cloud storage, advanced security and access to apps on desktop/mobile.

1. Simple Ways to Delete a Page in Word

For a lot of users, the simplest way to delete a page in word is by using the backspace or delete keys. These steps work on both Windows and Mac and are great for quick, straightforward fixes.

Steps for Deleting a Page

1. Navigate to the Page: Scroll to the page you want to remove.
2. Select Content (if applicable): Click and drag your cursor to highlight any text, images, or tables you want to delete. If it’s a blank page, this step may not be necessary.
3. Press Delete or Backspace: With the page content selected, hit the delete or backspace key on your keyboard. The page should disappear, shifting the rest of the document up.

Tip: This method is handy for most cases but doesn’t always work with blank pages created by extra paragraph markers or section breaks, which we’ll tackle next.

The Microsoft Office 365 Bible: The Most Updated and Complete Guide to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, Access, and Publisher from Beginners to Advanced

If you are a fan of PC and use it for work, entertainment, or anything else, mastering main Microsoft Programs is a MUST.

I can’t tell you enough how many people I see not just struggling to use a program like EXCEL, WORD, POWERPOINT, ONE NOTE, ONE DRIVE, OUTLOOK, TEAMS, ACCESS, PUBLISHER, and others, but also… wasting so much time doing things that should take minutes and even seconds instead of hours and days.

On top of that, on average most people use less than 5% of programs’ full potential at any given time.

For this exact reason, I created this amazing, in-depth book BUNDLE – to help you master these programs in no time, even if you don’t have any experience.

2. Advanced Method: Using the Navigation Pane

If you’re dealing with a blank page that doesn’t seem to go away, it may be caused by extra paragraph marks or page breaks. Using Word’s Navigation Pane can help you identify these hidden elements.

Steps Using the Navigation Pane

1. Enable Navigation Pane: Go to the “View” tab at the top, then check the box for “Navigation Pane.” This will open a side panel that displays your document’s pages.
2. Locate the Blank Page: In the Navigation Pane, find the blank page thumbnail. Click on it to jump directly to that page.
3. Remove Hidden Paragraph Marks: Once on the blank page, press Ctrl + Shift + 8 (or Command + 8 on Mac) to reveal paragraph marks. Delete these until the blank page disappears.

This method is especially useful for persistent blank pages and gives you better control over document formatting.

3. Deleting Pages Created by Section Breaks

If you’re working with a long document with multiple sections, you might encounter blank pages caused by section breaks. While section breaks are helpful for layout changes, they sometimes cause formatting issues.

How to Remove Section Breaks

1. Reveal Section Breaks: Again, press Ctrl + Shift + 8 to show paragraph and section break symbols.
2. Delete the Breaks: Navigate to the unwanted section break and delete it. Be aware that removing a section break may alter the formatting of the pages before and after it.

For documents where formatting consistency is crucial, like resumes or formal reports, this method is key.

Microsoft Word: In a Word, Master It. The Most Comprehensive, Pragmatic and Evolutionary Guide to Becoming an Expert Easily in Just 7 Days

Microsoft Word: In a Word, Master It” is your ultimate guide to unlocking the full potential of Word 2024. Dive into transformative content packed with essential functions, formatting tips, and beyond. Prepare for an unparalleled Word adventure, enhanced by phenomenal bonuses.

4. Using Print Layout View for Better Control

Sometimes, switching to Print Layout View makes it easier to spot blank pages or extra content that needs removing.

Steps in Print Layout View

1. Enable Print Layout: Go to the “View” tab and select “Print Layout.” This mode lets you see the exact layout of each page.
2. Identify and Remove Pages: Scroll through to find any extra pages. You can then use the basic deletion methods to remove any unnecessary content.

This view is especially helpful for finalizing documents, ensuring everything appears as it will when printed or shared.

Common Questions About Deleting Pages in Word

Q: Why can’t I delete a blank page in Word?
A: Often, blank pages are caused by extra paragraph marks or section breaks. Using the Ctrl + Shift + 8 command (or Command + 8 on Mac) can reveal these hidden elements, which you can then delete.

Q: How can I delete multiple pages in Word?
A: If you need to delete multiple pages, hold down your cursor and drag through the pages you want to remove. Then, press delete or backspace. For longer documents, you might find it easier to delete pages individually using the Navigation Pane.

Q: Does deleting a section break mess up formatting?
A: Yes, deleting a section break can impact the formatting of your document, particularly headers, footers, and page orientation. Consider copying your document first or adjusting the format afterward.

Q: Can I delete a page on Word Online or in the mobile app?
A: Yes, while the tools are a bit more limited, you can still delete pages in Word Online or the mobile app by selecting and deleting content, or by removing extra paragraph marks.

5. Using Third-Party Tools to Manage Pages in Word

Sometimes, Word’s own tools might not be enough, especially if you’re working with complex layouts or need advanced editing features. Here are some third-party tools that can help manage pages more easily in Word:

• Adobe Acrobat Pro: For PDF versions of your Word files, Adobe Acrobat Pro lets you delete, rearrange, and edit pages quickly. This is helpful if you need precise formatting control before sharing or printing a document.
• Microsoft Editor: While primarily an editing tool, Microsoft Editor offers formatting suggestions that may help resolve unwanted page breaks and paragraph issues. It’s a solid choice if you’re editing documents collaboratively and need real-time support.

Each tool has its own strengths, so choose the one that best fits your needs.

When and Why You Should Keep These Formatting Tips Handy

Knowing how to delete pages is a simple but valuable skill that can make your work easier and more efficient. Here’s when these tips can be most useful:

• Before finalizing a document: Removing blank pages ensures a clean, professional layout.
• For presentations or sharing: A polished document without extra pages is easier to read and looks more professional.
• For organization: If you often need to create long reports or documents with multiple sections, these skills will help keep everything organized and clear.

Final Thoughts

Deleting unwanted pages in Word might seem simple, but it’s a skill that can help keep your documents looking their best. Whether you’re working on a school project, a work report, or just taking notes, these methods give you the flexibility to manage your document’s layout however you need. Experiment with these different approaches and see which one works best for you. Once you’ve got the hang of it, handling unwanted pages will be one less thing to worry about in Word.