Formatting Issues

How to Fix a Blank Page Caused by a Word Section Break

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to remove an unwanted blank page generated by a continuous section break in a CV without altering the first-page header and overall document formatting.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a copied CV or complex document that contains continuous section breaks.
Observed behavior: Deleting the section break successfully removes the blank page, but it accidentally modifies the headers, footers, and section properties of the preceding page, making them difficult to edit.

Before you start

Before making changes to section breaks, click the Show/Hide ¶ button on the Home tab so you can visibly see where every section break is located in your document.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Section Break While Preserving Header Formatting

This method ensures that when you delete the section break, the text before it does not accidentally inherit the header formatting of the section that follows it.

In Word, section formatting (including headers, footers, and page orientation) is stored in the section break mark at the end of the section. If you simply delete the break, the preceding text merges into the next section and adopts its formatting.

Unlink the headers

Double-click the header area of the page immediately following the unwanted blank page. In the Header & Footer tab, ensure 'Link to Previous' is turned off so changes don't affect the first page.

Prepare the page setup

Place your cursor just below the section break you wish to delete. Go to the Layout tab, click the Page Setup dialog launcher, and under the Layout tab, ensure the 'Section start' is set to 'Continuous'.

Delete the section break

Place your cursor directly before the continuous section break causing the blank page and press the Delete key.

Restore previous formatting

If your layout still shifts, undo the deletion (Ctrl+Z). Instead of deleting the break, go back to Page Setup for that section and change 'Section start' to 'Continuous' to merge the pages without removing the break code.

Alternative Method: Adjusting Margins: Sometimes a continuous section break pushes text to a blank page simply because the bottom margin is too large to fit the break. Reducing the bottom margin in the Page Setup menu can often fix the issue without deleting the break.

Professional Word Processing

Easily Manage Section Breaks and Blank Pages with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing document layouts, section breaks, and headers seamlessly. Easily remove unwanted blank pages in your CVs without compromising your professional formatting.

1. Open the document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your CV or document containing the unwanted blank page.
2. Show paragraph marks: Navigate to the 'Home' tab and click the 'Show/Hide Editing Marks' icon (¶) to make all section breaks visible.
3. Unlink the header: Double-click the header on the page following the blank page and uncheck 'Link to Previous' in the Header/Footer menu.
4. Delete the break: Place your cursor right before the continuous section break and press the Delete key to safely remove the blank page.

Easily toggle formatting marks to reveal hidden section breaksIndependent header and footer controls for each document sectionFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Lightweight, fast, and free to use

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my header change when I delete a section break?

In Word processing software, a section's formatting is stored within the section break mark at the very end of that section. When you delete it, the text before the break merges with the following section and automatically adopts its header, footer, and margin settings.

How can I see hidden section breaks in my document?

You can reveal hidden formatting marks, including section breaks, by clicking the paragraph symbol (¶) on the Home tab, or by pressing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+8 (Cmd+8 on Mac).

Can I fix the blank page without deleting the section break?

Yes. Sometimes a continuous section break behaves like a next-page break due to formatting. Place your cursor after the break, go to Layout > Page Setup, open the Layout tab, and change the 'Section start' dropdown to 'Continuous'.

Document & File Issues