A page break moves the content after the break to the next page in your document. This tutorial shows three ways to insert page breaks in Microsoft Word. We’ll also look at how to delete page breaks.
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Looking for information about section breaks? Please check out my other tutorial “How to Insert Section Breaks in Microsoft Word.”
This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
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The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps will also work in Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word for Mac.
How to Insert Page Breaks in Microsoft Word
There are three ways to insert page breaks in Microsoft Word: (1) the Insert tab, (2) the Layout tab, and (3) the keyboard shortcut.
Recommended First Step: Select the Show/Hide button in the Home tab to show the formatting marks in your document, including page breaks.
Insert a Page Break through the Insert Tab
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the break.
- Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.
- Select Page Break in the Pages group.
The content after the break should move to the next page in your document.
Insert a Page Break through the Layout Tab
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the break (see figure 2).
- Select the Layout tab in the ribbon.
- Select Breaks in the Page Setup group.
- Select Page in the drop-down menu.
The content after the break should move to the next page in your document.
Insert a Page Break with a Keyboard Shortcut
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the break (see figure 2).
- Press the shortcut Ctrl + Enter (PC) or Command + Return (Mac) on your keyboard.
The content after the break should move to the next page in your document.
How to Delete Page Breaks
You can skip to step 2 if your formatting marks are already visible.
- Select the Show/Hide button in the Home tab to reveal the formatting marks (see figure 1).
- Place your cursor at the start of the page break.
- Select the Delete key on your keyboard.
- Reselect the Show/Hide button to hide the formatting marks (see figure 1).
The page break should be deleted.
Related Resources
How to Insert and Delete a Blank Page in Microsoft Word
How to Insert Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word
How to Adjust Page Margins in Microsoft Word
How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word
Updated May 23, 2021