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How to Delete a Page in Word: Simple Steps for Any Version

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How to Delete a Page in Word: Simple Steps for Any Version

Many people face this issue because Word adds hidden elements like paragraph marks or breaks. Knowing how to delete a page in word helps keep your files neat and professional.

Why Unwanted Pages Appear in Word

Word creates pages based on content flow. Sometimes, extra pages show up for these reasons:

  • Extra paragraph marks (¶) after the last text
  • Manual page breaks inserted by mistake
  • Section breaks that start on a new page
  • Tables that push content and create space
  • Large fonts or spacing at the end

These hidden items make a blank page appear, even if it looks empty. Showing formatting marks reveals them, making it easier to remove the cause.

How to Delete a Page with Content in Word

If the page has text, images, or other items, select and remove them.

  1. Click anywhere on the page you want to remove.
  2. Press Ctrl + G (on Windows) or Option + Command + G (on Mac) to open the Go To box.
  3. Type \page in the Enter page number box.
  4. Press Enter. This selects the whole page.
  5. Press Delete or Backspace on your keyboard.

The page content vanishes, and the document shortens by one page.

For a quick way:

  • Place your cursor at the start of the page.
  • Hold Shift and click at the end to select everything.
  • Press Delete.

This works well for pages in the middle or with graphics.

How to Delete a Blank Page in Word

Blank pages are trickier because nothing seems selectable. The fix often involves showing hidden marks.

First, turn on formatting marks:

  • Go to the Home tab.
  • Click the Show/Hide ¶ button (or press Ctrl + Shift + 8 on Windows, Command + 8 on Mac).

You will see symbols like ¶ for paragraphs and dotted lines for breaks.

Method 1: Delete Extra Paragraph Marks

  1. Go to the blank page.
  2. Place your cursor before the first ¶ on that page.
  3. Press Backspace or Delete until the marks disappear and the page goes away.

Often, just removing one or two ¶ symbols fixes it.

Method 2: Use the Navigation Pane

  1. Go to the View tab.
  2. Check Navigation Pane.
  3. In the sidebar, click Pages.
  4. Click the thumbnail of the blank page.
  5. Press Delete on your keyboard.

This selects the page visually and removes it fast.

Method 3: Fix Stubborn End-Paragraph (Common at Document End)

Word adds a non-deletable end-paragraph that can create a final blank page.

  1. Show formatting marks (Ctrl + Shift + 8 or Command + 8).
  2. Find the last ¶ on the blank page.
  3. Select it.
  4. In the font size box (Home tab), type 01 and press Enter.
  5. The small paragraph moves up, deleting the blank page.
  6. Hide marks again.

This trick works when other methods fail.

Method 4: Remove Page Breaks or Section Breaks

If a break causes the issue:

  1. With marks shown, find the break (says “Page Break” or “Section Break”).
  2. Click before it and press Delete.

For section breaks:

  • Place cursor just before the break.
  • Press Delete.

Note: Deleting section breaks may change formatting like headers. Check after.

How to Delete a Page in Word on Mac

Steps are similar on Mac, with slight shortcut differences.

  • Use Command + 8 to show/hide marks.
  • For Go To: Option + Command + G, type \page.
  • Navigation Pane works the same under View tab.

Mac users often see blank pages from extra spacing. Reduce bottom margin if needed:

  1. Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.
  2. Set bottom to a smaller number like 0.3 inches.

Tips to Avoid Unwanted Pages in the Future

  • Avoid pressing Enter many times at the end.
  • Use Ctrl + Enter only when you need a page break.
  • Check formatting marks before saving.
  • For tables at the end, add a small paragraph after and shrink it.

These habits keep documents clean.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem: Blank page after a table.

Fix: Add a paragraph after the table, shrink its font to 1 pt, or adjust table properties.

Problem: Page won’t delete in middle.

Fix: Check for section break (Next Page type). Delete it carefully.

Problem: In Word for the web.

Fix: Select empty lines and delete, or edit in desktop app for more tools.

Conclusion

Mastering how to delete a page in word saves time and frustration. Start with showing formatting marks, then use selection, Navigation Pane, or the 1 pt font trick for tough cases. These methods work across Windows, Mac, and most Word versions.

With practice, you can clean any document quickly. Have you tried these steps? Which method worked best for your how to delete a page in word issue? Share in the comments!

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