How to Delete Blank Page in Word
Learn how to delete a blank page in Microsoft Word, remove paragraph marks and page breaks, fix section breaks, and troubleshoot stubborn pages.
Quick Answer
To delete a blank page in Word, show paragraph marks, select extra paragraph marks, page breaks, or section breaks on the blank page, press Delete or Backspace, and check layout settings if the page remains.
What You Need
- Microsoft Word document
- Keyboard
- Home tab access
- Navigation Pane if desired
- A backup copy for important documents
Safety Precautions
- Save a copy before editing important documents.
- Do not delete section breaks without checking headers, footers, margins, and page numbering.
- Turn on paragraph marks so you can see what you are deleting.
- Review the document after removing breaks.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1
Open paragraph marks
On the Home tab, click the paragraph mark button to show hidden formatting.
- Step 2
Go to the blank page
Scroll to the blank page or use the Navigation Pane.
- Step 3
Select extra marks
Highlight empty paragraph marks, manual page breaks, or blank lines.
- Step 4
Press Delete or Backspace
Remove the selected formatting and see if the page disappears.
- Step 5
Check page breaks
If you see Page Break, select it and delete it.
- Step 6
Check section breaks
If a section break causes the blank page, change or remove it carefully.
- Step 7
Review formatting
Check page numbers, headers, footers, and layout after the page is removed.
Practical Example
Example: A blank page appears after your report. You show paragraph marks, find a manual page break, delete it, and the extra page disappears.
Common Mistakes
- Deleting text near the blank page instead of hidden marks
- Removing a section break without checking layout
- Forgetting to show paragraph marks
- Ignoring tables that force an extra paragraph
- Not checking headers and footers after changes
- Editing without a backup
Troubleshooting
Blank page remains
Look for a section break, table end paragraph, or large spacing before/after paragraphs.
Layout changes after deletion
Undo, then change the section break type instead of deleting it outright.
Blank page appears after a table
Select the paragraph mark after the table and reduce its font size or spacing.
Page number changed
Check section and page-number settings after removing breaks.
Helpful Internal Links
FAQs
Why is there a blank page in Word?
It is often caused by extra paragraph marks, page breaks, section breaks, or table formatting.
How do I show hidden marks in Word?
Click the paragraph mark button on the Home tab.
Can deleting a section break change formatting?
Yes, it can affect margins, headers, footers, and page numbering.
What if a table creates a blank page?
Reduce or format the paragraph mark after the table so it fits.
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