Printing Problems

How to Fix Blank Pages When Printing Microsoft Access Reports

Huda Qurayshi Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where extra blank pages are printed alongside intended report data in Microsoft Access.

How to Fix Blank Pages When Printing Microsoft Access Reports

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing database reports or generating print previews in Microsoft Access.
Observed behavior: Unexpected blank pages appear during printing because report objects or layout sections extend beyond the printer's actual printable area.

Before you start

Before adjusting the layout, open your report in Print Preview to visually identify exactly where the blank pages occur, and ensure your printer margins are set correctly for the loaded paper size.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Report Width and Object Dimensions

Ensure the physical dimensions of the report and its internal objects fit within the printer's printable boundaries.

The most common cause of extra blank pages in Access is a report width that exceeds the printable area. If the report width plus the left and right margins is greater than the paper width, Access pushes the overflow onto a new page.

Open Design View

Right-click your report in the Navigation Pane and select 'Design View'.

Check Report Width

Drag the right edge of the report background to the left so that it is as narrow as possible without cutting off any controls.

Resize Objects

Identify any text boxes, lines, or shapes that extend too far to the right. Resize or move these objects inward so they stay well within your defined margins.

Test in Print Preview

Switch to 'Print Preview' mode to verify that the unexpected blank pages have been eliminated.

Adjust Report Width and Object Dimensions

Pro Tip: Always ensure that the sum of your report's width and the left and right margins is less than the total width of your paper (e.g., less than 8.5 inches for standard Letter size).

Solution 2

Check Section Growth and Word Wrapping Properties

Prevent layout sections or text boxes from expanding vertically and creating unwanted new pages.

Solution 3

Verify Printer Settings and Access Version

Rule out printer-specific margin limitations or software glitches by testing alternative settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Access print a blank page at the end of every report?

This happens when the report's layout width plus the page margins exceeds the physical width of the paper. Even an imperceptible overlap (like a line extending 0.01 inches too far) will force Access to print an additional blank page for the overflow.

How can I change the margins for my Access report?

Open your report in Print Preview, navigate to the 'Page Size' group on the ribbon, and click 'Margins'. You can select predefined margin sizes or click 'Page Setup' to enter custom margin measurements.

Can switching to Landscape mode fix blank pages?

Yes. If your report contains many columns and frequently prints a blank alternating page, opening Page Setup and switching the orientation from Portrait to Landscape provides extra width, often resolving the margin overflow entirely.

Document & File Issues