Document Editing Problems

Fix Word Section Break Cursor and Return Key Problems in WPS Office Writer

Huma Ashraf Ch Nov 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to correct unusual cursor placement, unexpected indentation, missing automatic horizontal lines, and abnormal Return-key behavior caused by a Word Next Page section break in the preceding section.

Product: WPS Office Writer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a document that contains a Next Page section break and noticing layout or input problems immediately before the break.
Observed behavior: The cursor appears between the paragraph mark and section break, leading to unexpected indentation, missing automatic horizontal lines, and abnormal Return-key behavior.

Before you start

Before making changes, open the document in WPS Office Writer and press Ctrl+Shift+8 to display nonprinting paragraph marks and section breaks so you can inspect the exact break position.

Solution 1Recommended

Show formatting marks and move the section break to its own paragraph

Use this when a Next Page section break in Word causes unusual cursor placement, unexpected indentation, missing automatic horizontal lines, or abnormal Return-key behavior in the preceding section.

The problem is usually caused by the section break being positioned immediately after a paragraph mark, which creates an unstable insertion point between the two nonprinting characters. Displaying formatting marks in WPS Office Writer lets you see and correct this placement.

Open the document in WPS Office Writer

Open the affected document in WPS Office Writer and click the Home tab to access paragraph tools.

Show nonprinting characters

Press Ctrl+Shift+8, or click the Show/Hide Paragraph Marks button in the Home tab, to display paragraph marks, section breaks, and other formatting symbols.

Locate the problem section break

Find the Next Page section break and the paragraph mark immediately before it. Check whether the cursor can land between the paragraph mark and the section break.

Add an empty paragraph before the section break

Click at the end of the text before the section break, press Enter to create a new paragraph mark, and then confirm the section break sits below that paragraph mark.

Avoid repeated Enter presses for spacing

Remove extra empty paragraphs and use Paragraph Settings to set spacing before or after the paragraph instead of pressing Enter repeatedly.

Show formatting marks and move the section break to its own paragraph

Expected result: After the section break is placed on its own paragraph mark, the cursor position, indentation, and Return key behavior should return to normal in the preceding section.

Solution 2

Delete and reinsert the section break cleanly

Use this if the section break still misbehaves after repositioning or if the document was created in Microsoft Word with corrupted section break placement.

Fix in WPS Office Writer

Fix Word section break layout issues with WPS Office Writer

Open the affected .docx document in WPS Office Writer, reveal formatting marks, and move the Next Page section break to its own paragraph. This restores expected cursor, indentation, and Return key behavior while maintaining your Word document layout.

1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office Free from the official WPS website and install it on your computer.
2. Open the Word document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open the affected .docx file.
3. Display formatting marks: Press Ctrl+Shift+8 to show paragraph marks and section break symbols.
4. Move the section break to its own paragraph: Click at the end of the text before the section break, press Enter, and ensure the section break is not on the same line as the preceding paragraph mark.
5. Save the corrected document: Save the file as a Word .docx document to preserve compatibility with Microsoft Word.

Directly inspect and correct section break placement in .docx filesMaintains compatibility with Microsoft Word .doc and .docx formatsFree, lightweight Office suite with a familiar ribbon interfaceWorks with existing Word documents without complex rebuilds

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the section break cause unusual cursor and Return key behavior?

A Next Page section break can be placed immediately after a paragraph mark, which leaves a tiny insertion point between the two nonprinting characters. This can make the cursor seem stuck or cause unexpected indentation and Return-key behavior in the previous paragraph.

How do I see section breaks in WPS Office Writer?

Press Ctrl+Shift+8 or click the Show/Hide Paragraph Marks button on the Home tab. Nonprinting characters including section breaks will be visible.

Will adding an extra paragraph before the section break change my layout?

It can add a visible blank line. If you do not want that space, use Paragraph Settings to control spacing before or after the paragraph instead of relying on extra empty paragraphs.

Can I delete the Next Page section break and insert it again?

Yes. With formatting marks visible, select and delete the section break, then create a new empty paragraph and insert a new Next Page section break from Page Layout or Layout > Breaks.

Does WPS Office Writer handle .docx section breaks from Microsoft Word?

Yes, WPS Office Writer opens and saves .docx files and supports section breaks, so you can inspect and fix the formatting without losing Word compatibility.

Document & File Issues