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How to Create Sections in Word (A Step-by-Step Guide)

September 19, 2023 5.1K views

Are you searching for ways to enhance your document organization and formatting skills in Microsoft Word? Discover the art of creating sections in Word to elevate your document's visual appeal and structure. This guide empowers you with the knowledge to conquer potential challenges and master the art of document segmentation for improved readability and collaboration.

How to Create Sections in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking to enhance the organization and formatting of your documents in Microsoft Word? Creating sections is a powerful way to achieve this. Follow these steps to effectively add sections to your document:

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document you want to work on.

Step 2: Place Cursor Where You Want a New Section

Position your cursor at the location where you want to begin a new section.

Place Cursor Where You Want a New Section


Step 3: Access the Page Layout Tab

Navigate to the "Page Layout" tab in the Word ribbon at the top of the screen.

Page Layout Tab


Step 4: Click on "Breaks"

In the "Page Setup" group, click on the "Breaks" option. A drop-down menu will appear.

Step 5: Choose a Section Break

Select the type of section break you need:

Choose a Section Break


  • Next Page: Starts a new section on the next page.

  • Continuous: Begins a new section on the same page.

  • Even Page/Odd Page: Begins a new section on the next even or odd-numbered page.

You'll notice that a section break is inserted at the cursor's position. This signifies the beginning of a new section.

How to Remove Sections in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Removing sections in Microsoft Word is straightforward and can help streamline your document's layout. Follow these steps to seamlessly remove unnecessary sections and improve document flow.

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document from which you want to remove sections.

Step 2: Display Section Breaks

Go to the "Home" tab in the Word ribbon and click on the ¶ symbol (known as the "Show/Hide" button) to reveal the section breaks.

Show/Hide" button


Step 3: Identify Section Breaks

Identify the section breaks you want to remove. They will appear as double dotted lines.

Identify Section Breaks

Step 4: Delete Section Breaks

Place your cursor just before the section break you want to remove. Press the "Delete" key on your keyboard to eliminate the section break.

How to Change to a Different Type of Section in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing section types in Microsoft Word allows you to adjust the layout and formatting of different parts of your document. Follow this step-by-step guide to seamlessly switch between section types for improved document structure and presentation.

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document in which you want to change section types.

Step 2: Locate the Section Break

Identify the section break that you want to change. Click or tap anywhere within the section break to place your cursor there.

Step 3: Access Page Setup

Go to the "Layout" tab in the Word ribbon. Look for the "Page Setup" group and locate the small launcher button (usually depicted as a square with an arrow) in the bottom-right corner of the group. Click or tap this button.

Page Setup

 Step 4: Navigate to the Layout Tab

Once the "Page Setup" dialog box appears, navigate to the "Layout" tab within the dialog box.

Page Setup Layout Tab

Step 5: Choose a New Section Type

In the "Section Start" drop-down list, you'll find various options for different section types. Select the section type you want to switch to. The available options might include:

  • New Page: Starts a new section on the next page.

  • Continuous: Divides the document without starting a new page.

  • Even Page or Odd Page: Begins a new section on the next even or odd-numbered page.

Page Setup Layout Tab New Section Type


Step 6: Confirm Changes

After selecting the new section type, click or tap the "OK" button in the "Page Setup" dialog box to apply the changes.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Sections in WPS Office:

Creating sections in your documents using WPS Office is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to enhance your document's organization and formatting:

Step 1: Open WPS Office

Launch the WPS Office application on your device.

Open WPS Office

Step 2: Create or Open a Document

Start a new document or open an existing one that you want to work on.

Step 3: Position the Cursor

Place your cursor at the point where you want to insert a section break within your document.

Step 4: Navigate to the Layout Tab

Locate the "Layout" tab in the top menu bar of the WPS Office interface.

WPS Office Layout tab

Step 5: Insert a Section Break

Click on the "Breaks" option in the "Layout" tab. A dropdown menu will appear.

WPS Office Section Break

Step 6: Choose Section Break Type

Select the type of section break you wish to insert. Similar to Microsoft Word, you can choose options such as "Next Page," "Continuous," or "Even/Odd Page."

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FAQs

Can I have different headers and footers for each section?

Yes, Microsoft Word allows you to have different headers and footers for each section within your document. This feature is especially useful when you want to customize the content in headers and footers based on the specific sections of your document.

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document in which you want to have different headers and footers for each section.

Step 2: Navigate to the Section

Click anywhere within the section for which you want to set a different header or footer.

Step 3: Access Header & Footer Tools

Once you're within the desired section, the "Header & Footer Tools" tab will appear in the Word ribbon at the top. Click on this tab to access additional options.

Step 4: Differentiate Between Header and Footer

Choose whether you want to customize the header or footer for the selected section. Click on the "Header" or "Footer" button in the "Header & Footer Tools" tab.

Step 5: Activate "Different First Page" or "Different Odd & Even Pages"

Depending on your needs, you might want different headers/footers for the first page of the section, odd-numbered pages, even-numbered pages, or a combination of these options. You can find these options in the "Header & Footer Tools" tab under "Options."

How to Use the Navigation Pane in Word?

The Navigation pane in Microsoft Word is a powerful tool that allows you to easily navigate and manage your document's content, especially when dealing with longer documents or specific search tasks.

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document you want to work with.

Step 2: Access the Navigation Pane

Go to the "View" tab in the Word ribbon at the top. In the "Show" group, check the box next to "Navigation Pane" to activate it.

Step 3: Navigate Using the Navigation Pane

The Navigation pane will appear on the left side of the Word window. You can use it to:

  • Search for Text: Type a keyword in the search box to find instances of the text within the document.

  • Navigate Headings: If your document has headings, they will appear in the Navigation pane. Clicking on a heading takes you to that section.

  • Browse Pages and Sections: The Navigation pane displays thumbnails of pages. Clicking on a thumbnail takes you to that page.

  • Find Graphics: If your document contains images or graphics, they will also be listed in the Navigation pane.

Step 4: Search and Jump to Text

Use the search box in the Navigation pane to find specific text. Click on the search results to jump to those locations in the document.

How Can I Collaborate with Others Using Sections in Word?

Collaborating with others using sections in Microsoft Word can greatly enhance your team's efficiency and streamline document management. Sections allow you to divide and format your document effectively, and with the right approach, collaboration becomes seamless.

Step 1: Open the Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document you want to collaborate on.

Step 2: Divide the Document into Sections

Use sections to break down the document into manageable parts, assigning each section to a specific team member if needed.

Step 3: Share the Document

Save the document on a shared platform, such as a cloud storage service (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive) or a collaboration tool (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack). Ensure that everyone who needs access has the appropriate permissions.

Step 4: Assign Sections

Communicate with your team to assign specific sections to individual collaborators. Each collaborator can focus on their assigned section without interfering with others.

Step 5: Collaborate Simultaneously

With cloud-based collaboration tools, multiple collaborators can work on the same document simultaneously. Ensure that everyone is aware of changes in real-time.

Conclusion: Elevating Document Creation and Collaboration with Sections

In the realm of document creation and collaboration, the effective use of sections stands as a pivotal tool, offering the ability to organize content, customize formatting, and enhance overall readability. Throughout this comprehensive guide, we've delved into the intricacies of creating, removing, and differentiating sections in Microsoft Word, empowering you to wield this feature with finesse.

Additionally, for those seeking a dynamic alternative to Microsoft Word, the spotlight shines on WPS Office. This free and user-friendly suite presents a powerful solution for crafting documents that make a lasting impact. With WPS Office, even those less familiar with document formatting can create sections with ease, enhancing the visual appeal and structure of their work.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.