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How to Delete a Blank Page in Google Docs? - A Step-By-Step Guide

November 21, 2023 1.3K views

Often, when working on Google Docs online, unnecessary blank pages can be encountered for various reasons. Whether due to inadvertent page breaks, the inclusion of blank pages during copy-pasting, or an error in file sharing, it becomes imperative to remove them. These blank pages not only inflate file sizes but also introduce printing inefficiencies. Moreover, when sharing documents, the presence of blank pages can be aesthetically displeasing.

Therefore, the purpose of this article is to guide users on how to delete blank pages in Google Docs in 2023. Let's explore the diverse situations, whether on a computer or mobile, and understand how users can seamlessly remove these blank pages from their Google Docs.

How to Delete a Blank Page in Google Docs

How to Eliminate a Blank Page in Google Docs on Desktop

Let's explore various methods to get rid of unwanted blank page in Google Docs:

Method 1: Select and Delete the Text

This method is incredibly straightforward, involving the deletion of unnecessary text in your Google Docs. Follow these steps:

Step 1: In your Google Docs document, use your cursor to select the unwanted text.

Google Docs select text

Step 2: Once selected, simply press the "Backspace" key on your keyboard.

Google Docs remove text

Alternatively, you can use the "Delete" key. Either key will yield the same result — the removal of the unwanted text.

This quick and easy method allows you to efficiently delete any text that is not needed in your Google Docs document.

Method 2: Delete a Page Break

The second method involves removing a page break, a feature designed for convenience that can occasionally prove inconvenient by leaving unwanted blank pages in your Google Docs. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate the blank page in Google Docs and use your cursor to select the entire blank page. You'll know the blank page is selected when the empty space is highlighted.

Google Docs highlighted empty space

Step 2: Now, simply press the "Backspace" or "Delete" key to eliminate the blank page from your Google Docs.

Google Docs delete page breaks

While page breaks can be helpful, they may inadvertently create blank pages. Fortunately, the method to remove these page breaks is similar to deleting text, albeit invisible. Intriguing, isn't it?

Method 3: Adjusting the Page Margins

The third method involves modifying the page margins to delete an extra page in Google Docs document, follow these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to the top menu bar, click on the File tab, and select Page Setup. A Page Setup pop-up box will appear.

Google Docs Page setup

Step 2: Within the pop-up box, adjust settings such as margins, page orientation, size, and color. Focus on the top, bottom, left, and right margins to delete a page in Google Docs. Ensure equal adjustments to the right and left margins to maintain text alignment.

Google Docs Page margins

How to Delete a Blank Page in Google Docs on Android Mobile

If you're an Android user, fret not! Deleting a blank page in Google Docs on your Android device is a breeze.

Step 1: Open the Google Docs document containing the blank page you wish to delete. Navigate to the page with unnecessary text.

Step 2: Long-press the text you want to delete and use your fingers to select any additional text. The selected text will be highlighted.

Google Docs Android select text

Step 3: Simply press the "Backspace" key on your Android keyboard.

Google Docs Android remove unnecessary blank pages

This is an incredibly straightforward method. If there's any empty space, just select it and press "Backspace" to remove the blank page.

How to Delete a Blank Page in Google Docs on iOS Mobile?

Step 1: Access the Google Docs file on your iOS device and navigate to the page containing unnecessary content.

Step 2: Long-press on the text you wish to delete and use your fingers to extend the selection. The highlighted text indicates your selection.

Google Docs iOS select text

Step 3: Simply tap the "Backspace" key on your iOS keyboard to remove the selected text.

Google Docs IOS remove unnecessary blank pages

This method also applies to eliminating empty spaces, ensuring a hassle-free removal of blank pages.

Tips for Preventing Blank Pages in Google Docs

If you're seeking tips to prevent blank pages in Google Docs, let this concise guide be your helpful companion. This guide offers three quick tips:

Method 1: Check Section Breaks

Step 1: Open your Google Docs file.

Step 2: Navigate to the “View” tab.

Step 3: Select "Show Section Breaks".

Google Docs View Tab drop-down options.

 Google Docs View Tab drop-down options.

Method 2:  Check Page Breaks

Ensure a seamless document flow by checking for page breaks. Click the "Delete" option to seamlessly remove any unwanted page breaks, often appearing as blank pages after your content or paragraphs.

Method 3: Clear Formatting

Step 1: Go to the “Format” tab.

Step 2: From the drop-down list, click "Clear Formatting".

Google Docs Format menu Drop-Down list.

Google Docs Format menu Drop-Down list.

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 WPS Office

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How to Delete a Blank Page in WPS Office

Let's explore how WPS Office can contribute to our current topic of the day, which is the removal of blank pages from a Word document.

Before we delve into deleting pages, let's address an important tool that could be beneficial—Paragraph marks. To enable them on WPS Writer:

Step 1: In WPS Writer, navigate to the Home tab and click on "Show/Hide Editing Marks".

WPS Writer Editing Marks

WPS Writer Editing Marks

Step 2: Click on "Show/Hide Paragraph Marks" to display paragraph marks in our document, aiding in navigation.

 WPS Writer Paragraph Marks

WPS Writer Paragraph Marks

Now, WPS Writer offers four distinct options for eliminating blank pages, page breaks, or line breaks. Let's explore them:

Method 1: Delete the Breaks

Utilizing paragraph marks to identify page breaks:

Step 1: Place your cursor immediately after the page break.

 WPS Writer Page break

WPS Writer Page break

Step 2: Press the "Backspace" key on your keyboard to remove the page from your document.

Method 2: Delete the breaks in batches

Now, let's consider a scenario where we have a cluster of empty lines forming an entire blank page. In this case:

Step 1: In WPS Writer, go to the Home tab and click on "Word Typesetting".

WPS Writer Word Typesetting

WPS Writer Word Typesetting

Step 2: From the dropdown menu, select "Delete" and then choose "Delete Blank Paragraphs" to eliminate blank lines or paragraphs from your Word document.

 WPS Writer Delete Blank Paragraphs

WPS Writer Delete Blank Paragraphs

Method 3: Find and Replace Function to Delete the Breaks

Suppose there are numerous page breaks scattered throughout your document. Instead of manually navigating to each one and pressing "Backspace," you can use the Find and Replace function to delete page breaks in bulk:

Step 1: In the Home tab, click on the "Find and Replace" option.

WPS Writer Find And Replace option

WPS Writer Find And Replace option

Step 2: Choose "Replace" from the dropdown menu, or simply use the shortcut key "CTRL + H" to access the Find and Replace feature.

WPS Writer Replace option

WPS Writer Replace option

Step 3: In the Find and Replace window, click on "Special".

WPS Writer Replace Special

WPS Writer Replace Special

Step 4: Select "Manual Page Breaks".

WPS Writer Replace Manual Page Break

WPS Writer Replace Manual Page Break

Step 5: Click on "Replace All" to remove all page breaks in the document.

WPS Writer Replace All

WPS Writer Replace All

Step 6: WPS Writer will provide a confirmation pop-up, indicating the number of page breaks replaced. Click "OK" to continue editing your document.

WPS Writer Replacements made

WPS Writer Replacements made

Method 4: Adjusting the line spacing and margin

Sometimes, a situation arises where your document may contain a table right at the end, causing an unwanted blank page.

WPS Writer blank page after table

WPS Writer blank page after table

Trying to use "Backspace" or delete blank paragraphs might not resolve the issue. In such cases, adjusting the line spacing and margins can effectively remove the blank page from your document.

Line Spacing

To fix line spacing and shrink the overall length of your document:

Step 1: Navigate to the Home tab and click on the "Line Spacing" icon. Then, select "More".

WPS Writer Line Spacing

WPS Writer Line Spacing

Step 2: In the Line Spacing window, go to the "Spacing" section. Choose the "Exactly" option in the line spacing field.

WPS Writer Exactly option in Line spacing

WPS Writer Exactly option in Line spacing

Step 3: Experiment by reducing the spacing. For instance, reducing the space to "1" has proven effective in removing the blank page. Click "OK" to apply the changes to your document.

 WPS Writer setting Line spacing

WPS Writer setting Line spacing

Page Margin

Now, let's explore adjusting the page margins, specifically the bottom margin, to eliminate the blank page:

Step 1: Go to the Page Layout tab and click on "Margins."

Step 2: In the Margins drop-down menu, select the "Custom Margins" option.

 WPS Writer custom margins

WPS Writer custom margins

Step 3: Here, it's about experimentation. Gradually reduce the bottom margin until the blank page is removed, ensuring the overall look of the document remains unaffected.

WPS Writer reducing bottom margin to remove blank page

WPS Writer reducing bottom margin to remove blank page

In WPS Writer, we've witnessed a comprehensive set of tools for removing blank pages. However, WPS Writer offers numerous other features that make it the ideal writing companion, whether for office tasks or school assignments. We recommend trying the free WPS Office suite to experience its superiority.

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FAQs

Q1. What if the blank page doesn't disappear when I press Backspace or Delete?

If pressing Backspace or Delete doesn't remove the blank page, hidden content may be causing the issue.

Step 1: Click on the "View" menu at the top of your screen.

Step 2: Choose the "Show non-printing characters" option within the View menu.

 Google Docs show non-printing characters

Google Docs show non-printing characters

Hence, enabling "Hidden characters" reveals any concealed elements, including page breaks.

Q2. Is there a shortcut key to delete a page in Google Docs?

There isn't a dedicated shortcut for deleting a page. However, you can efficiently remove content using Ctrl+Backspace (Windows) or Command+Delete (Mac) to maintain document precision in Google Docs.

Google Docs Blank Page Fix

In the relentless pursuit of knowledge, today's lesson on “how to remove blank pages in Google Docs” marks a valuable addition. The newfound proficiency transcends routine document management; it enhances document viewing, printing, and overall efficiency. Yet, for a more sophisticated solution, consider WPS Office—an all-encompassing platform.

Unlike Google Docs, it seamlessly blends online and offline experiences, offering advanced PDF tools and a treasure trove of templates through the WPS Template Store. Elevate your office suite experience and explore the professional realm with WPS Office—a refreshing change worth trying.


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