In Microsoft Phrase paperwork, undesirable pages — often clean — often happen when somebody presses Ctrl + Enter or Command + Return to pressure a brand new web page (I like to recommend avoiding that technique). Most Phrase paperwork have a couple of laborious web page breaks, so it’s simple to finish up with an undesirable clean web page.
Contemplating how simple it’s to finish up with a clean web page, you would possibly count on Phrase to supply a simple method to delete a web page, no matter the way it’s inserted. Nevertheless, there’s no quick-click choice that may achieve this. On this tutorial, I’ll present you 5 methods to delete an undesirable web page in a Phrase doc. It’s unlikely that certainly one of these first two strategies gained’t be out there, however simply in case, I present three extra strategies for deleting a web page in a Phrase doc.
I’m utilizing Microsoft 365 on Windows 11, however you need to use an earlier model of each Phrase and Home windows. These strategies additionally work for Phrase on the Mac; I don’t advocate utilizing Phrase for the online as a result of it doesn’t show the laborious web page break image.
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Earlier than you start: Learn how to discover web page breaks in Phrase
Phrase helps two kinds of web page breaks:
- A tough web page break, entered by urgent Ctrl + Enter or Command + Return.
- A gentle web page break, entered by Phrase to wrap textual content on the proper margin.
The one method to delete the latter is to take away characters earlier than or after it. This dialogue is about eradicating undesirable clean pages created by manually urgent Ctrl + Enter so as to add a brand new web page.
When working with laborious web page breaks, attempt enabling Phrase’s Present/Cover function within the Paragraph group on the Dwelling tab or press Command + 8 on a Mac. In Phrase for the Internet, you might have to show the basic ribbon to see this feature, but it surely gained’t be sufficient as a result of, as talked about, you gained’t see the laborious web page break image
As soon as you’ll be able to see the laborious web page symbols within the desktop model, this feature shows each laborious web page and part breaks, making it simple to find and take away them.
SEE: Seeking to disguise textual content in a Phrase doc?
The determine beneath reveals a three-page doc with two web page breaks. As soon as you discover the web page breaks, they’re simple to delete when working with just a few.
1. Learn how to choose and delete any web page in Phrase
In case you can see the web page break in Phrase, you’ll be able to delete it rapidly. After enabling Present/Cover, choose it and press Delete; this works no matter the place the web page is positioned. As proven within the determine beneath, there are two web page breaks: one on the backside of web page one and a second on the prime of web page two. On this case, you would choose the one on the prime of web page 2 by clicking twice within the left margin subsequent to the web page break. Then, press Delete.
It’s a good suggestion to verify for web page breaks so near the underside of a web page in Phrase once you don’t intend to pressure a brand new web page, which is why I like to recommend enabling Present/Cover when cleansing up web page breaks.
That is the quickest and most secure method to take away a tough web page return in Phrase, and I like to recommend utilizing it if potential; utilizing different strategies can usually end result within the unintended elimination of types.
2. Learn how to use the Navigation pane to delete pages in Phrase
One other simple method to delete a single web page in Phrase, no matter whether or not it’s empty, is to make use of Phrase’s Navigation pane. It requires just a few clicks:
- Click on the View tab, after which click on the Navigation pane within the Present group.
- Within the Navigation pane, click on Pages. (Phrase for the Internet doesn’t help the Pages choice.)
- Click on the clean web page and press Delete. The thick blue border will point out that the web page is chosen.
If the clean web page occurs to have a couple of paragraph marks earlier than the web page break in Phrase, you’ll have to press Delete accordingly — as soon as per paragraph mark.
3. Learn how to delete a web page in the midst of a Phrase doc
You possibly can place the cursor initially of the web page in Phrase that follows the web page you need to take away and press Backspace. You might need to click on Backspace greater than as soon as.
SEE: Google Docs vs Microsoft Phrase (2024): Which Software Is Higher?
In different phrases, if you wish to take away web page 2 of your doc, go to the highest of web page 3 and press Backspace; this works as a result of the final character on web page 2 is a tough web page break. On this instance, you would possibly need to additionally delete the laborious web page break on the finish of web page 1.
Sadly, there’s no shortcut for shifting the cursor to the highest of the present web page, so you need to manually place the cursor; nonetheless, the Ctrl + Web page Up shortcut would possibly assist. If the cursor is someplace on web page 3, press Ctrl + Web page As much as place the cursor on the prime of web page 2 and delete the laborious web page. Admittedly, this technique is a bit convoluted, however it’s useful once you’re already on the web page that follows the web page you need to delete.
4. Learn how to delete an additional web page on the finish of a Phrase doc
Often, a Phrase doc has a clean web page on the finish that you simply don’t need to preserve. If the clean web page outcomes from a tough web page break, clicking Backspace as soon as must be sufficient — you don’t even must allow Present/Cover. If the web page outcomes from a number of paragraph marks, you’ll must click on Backspace quite a few instances — as soon as for every paragraph mark.
5. What to do when there’s no laborious web page break to delete in Phrase
It’s potential to pressure a brand new web page utilizing paragraph marks. The determine beneath reveals a clean web page created by laborious returns, often known as paragraph marks. The paragraph marks are a visible illustration of urgent the Enter key.
To delete this web page stuffed with paragraph marks, choose all of the marks and press Delete.
SEE: Learn how to delete a number of web page breaks in a Phrase doc
Why can’t I delete a web page in Phrase?
If the Phrase doc isn’t protected, you must be capable to delete clean pages utilizing one of many strategies detailed above. In case you run right into a Phrase web page that gained’t be deleted, the doc or part might be protected; when this occurs, you’ll must contact the doc’s writer for extra assist. Almost definitely, you’ll want a password that, as soon as entered, will will let you modify the doc or part.
How can I delete a web page in Phrase with out affecting different pages?
You possibly can’t delete a web page in Phrase with out having some influence on the pages that comply with. As an example, deleting a web page in a Phrase doc will change the web page numbering and area codes that depend upon the web page quantity; should you’re referring to those numbers inside the textual content, you’ll need to replace references accordingly.
Eradicating an empty web page in a Phrase doc most likely gained’t upset the movement an excessive amount of. After deleting laborious web page breaks, Phrase might repaginate the next pages. There’s no means round this, so your greatest method is to concentrate on it so you’ll be able to modify the outcomes if crucial.
How can I delete a clean web page in Phrase for the online?
When deleting a clean web page in Phrase for the online, you’ll be able to nonetheless use Present/Cover, although it’s going to solely show paragraph marks. Place the cursor on the acceptable paragraph mark and press Backspace. In case you run into bother, use the desktop model of Phrase as an alternative.
Can I delete a selected web page in a Phrase doc utilizing keyboard shortcuts?
Sure! Press Ctrl + G on PC or Command + Choice + G on Mac to open the ‘Go To’ dialog. Sort web page into the ‘Enter web page quantity’ area, press Enter or Return, then Esc to shut the dialog. Lastly, press Delete to take away the complete web page. Nevertheless, if the web page is empty, chances are you’ll must take away the additional paragraph marks or part breaks manually.