How to Delete a Page in Word 365

how to delete a page in word 365
by CJ McDaniel // November 29  

Having an unnecessary page in your Word 365 document can be frustrating. Luckily, deleting a page is a straightforward process. The answer to the question “How do I delete a page in Word 365?” is that you can do it through several methods, including deleting blank pages, removing content, and adjusting formatting. Each process is effective depending on why the page exists in the first place.

Let’s dive into how to delete a page in Word 365 successfully.

  1. Identifying the Type of Page You Want to Delete

Before jumping into the deletion process, knowing why the page is there is crucial. Here are some common scenarios:

Blank Pages

Often, blank pages appear at the end of your document due to excessive line breaks, page breaks, or large margins.

Pages with Content

You may want to remove a page containing text, images, or other elements. In this case, you must highlight the items on that page before deleting them.

  1. Deleting a Blank Page

If the page you want to remove is blank, follow these easy steps:

Using the Backspace Key

  1. Navigate to the Blank Page: Scroll through your document to find the blank or empty page.
  2. Click at the start of the Blank or Empty Page: Place your cursor at the beginning of the page.
  3. Press Backspace: Press the Backspace key on your keyboard. This action deletes the page if extra paragraph marks caused its creation.

Deleting Extra Paragraph Marks

Sometimes, extra paragraph marks can cause a blank page:

  1. Enable Paragraph Marks: Go to the Home tab in the ribbon and click on the Paragraph symbol (¶) to show paragraph marks in the document.
  2. Highlight the Marks: Head to the blank or empty page, then Click and drag to highlight all the paragraph marks you’ll find.
  3. Delete: Press the Delete key to remove them, which will, in turn, remove the blank page.
  4. Deleting a Page With Content

If the page contains unwanted text or images, the approach varies slightly. Here’s how to handle it:

Highlighting Content

  1. Scroll to the Page: Locate the page with the content you wish to delete.
  2. Select the Content: Click and drag your mouse over all the items on that page to highlight them.
  3. Press Delete: Press the Delete key once everything is selected.

Deleting a Page Break

If the unwanted page appears due to a manual page break:

  1. Enable Paragraph Marks: As mentioned earlier, click on the Paragraph symbol.
  2. Locate the Page Break: Find the label that reads “Page Break” on the page.
  3. Delete the Page Break: Click on the Page Break label and hit Delete. This action merges the content above and below, removing the additional page.
  4. Adjusting Margins and Layout

Sometimes, a page appears due to formatting issues like too large margins or specific layout settings. If you suspect this is the problem, here’s what to check:

Changing Margins

  1. Go to the Layout Tab: Click on the Layout tab in the Word ribbon.
  2. Select Margins: Click on Margins to see preset options or choose “Custom Margins.”
  3. Adjust the Top and Bottom Margins: If they are too large, decrease these settings to allow more content to fit on the same pages.

Page Size and Orientation

If you are working with a custom-sized page:

  1. Navigate to the Layout Tab: Click on the Layout tab.
  2. Page Setup: Explore the Page Setup section and check if the paper size or orientation (Portrait vs. Landscape) affects your layout.
  3. Change Settings: Adjust these values as needed.
  4. Using the Navigation Pane

The Navigation Pane is a handy tool that can help you spot and remove unnecessary pages precisely.

Enabling the Navigation Pane

  1. Open the View Tab: Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
  2. Check Navigation Pane: Select the Navigation Pane checkbox to enable it on the left side of your screen.
  3. Locate Pages: Browse through the thumbnails representing pages in your document. You can easily click on a thumbnail to jump directly to it.

Deleting via Navigation Pane

  1. Select the Page: Once you’ve found the page you want to remove, click on its thumbnail.
  2. Highlight and Delete: With the content displayed, use your mouse to select everything and press Delete, or press the Backspace key if it’s a blank page.
  3. Final Checks

Before you close your document, it’s a good practice to double-check.

Ensure No Unintended Pages Remain

Scroll through the document to confirm the removal of all unwanted pages. Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, saving the document is wise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to How To Delete A Page In Word 365

Q. How do I remove/delete a blank page at the end of my Word 365 document?
A. Place your cursor at the beginning of the blank page and press Backspace, or delete extra paragraph marks if they are present.

Q. Can I remove a page break in Word 365?
A. Yes, enable paragraph marks, locate the “Page Break” label, highlight it, and press Delete.

Q. What if large margins cause my blank page?
A. Adjust your margins in the Layout tab by selecting or customizing preset margins.

Q. How do I ensure I delete everything on a page?
A. Click and drag across all content to highlight it before pressing Delete.

Q. Is there a keyboard shortcut for deleting a page quickly?
A. There isn’t a direct shortcut for deleting a page, but using Backspace or Delete after selecting content works efficiently.

Q. What should I do if a page keeps reappearing?
A. Check for hidden page breaks, ensure no extra paragraph marks are present, and adjust your margins.

Q. How do I delete multiple unwanted pages in Word 365?
A. Use the Navigation Pane to identify and select multiple pages for deletion, or manually navigate through the document and repeat the delete process.

Q. Can formatting issues cause additional pages in Word 365?
A. Yes, large line spacing or margins can create unwanted blank pages. You can adjust these in the Layout tab.

Q. What if I accidentally delete the wrong content?
A. Use the “Undo” feature by pressing Ctrl + Z (Cmd + Z on Mac) to restore your last action.

Q. How can I check for misplaced or hidden page breaks?
A. Enable the paragraph marks to view all breaks and marks that may affect pagination in your document.

Conclusion

Deleting a page in Word 365 is easy with the proper methods. Whether it’s a blank page, a page filled with content, or an issue caused by peculiar formatting, the above techniques will help restore your document to its intended format. Mastering these approaches polishes your content and enhances your productivity as you learn to navigate Word 365 more efficiently.

About the Author

CJ grew up admiring books. His family owned a small bookstore throughout his early childhood, and he would spend weekends flipping through book after book, always sure to read the ones that looked the most interesting. Not much has changed since then, except now some of those interesting books he picks off the shelf were designed by his company!