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How to Prevent Automatic Hyphenation from Shortening Word Pages
Question details
The user needs to stop automatic hyphenation from causing certain pages to have one fewer line in a Word document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting a multi-page document with automatic hyphenation turned on.
- Observed behavior
- Pages are being shortened by one line when automatic hyphenation is active, and disabling orphan and widow control does not fix the problem.
Ensure your document is saved and that you have identified the specific pages where the line count is reduced before modifying advanced layout settings.
Enable Hyphenation Between Pages or Columns
Adjust Microsoft Word's advanced layout options to permit words to be hyphenated across page breaks, which maintains a consistent line count on every page.
By default, Word may prevent words from being hyphenated across the end of a page or column. This forces the entire word to the next page, leaving the previous page short by one line. Changing this layout option resolves the spacing issue without turning off automatic hyphenation entirely.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Microsoft Word ribbon, select 'More' at the bottom of the menu, and then click on 'Options'.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on the 'Advanced' tab located in the left-hand navigation pane.
Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the Advanced settings page until you find the section labeled 'Layout options for:'.
Look for the checkbox titled 'Allow hyphenation between pages or columns'. Check this box to enable it, then click 'OK' to save your changes and apply them to the document.
Switch to WPS Office for Easier Document Formatting
If you frequently struggle with complex, hard-to-find layout settings in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, user-friendly, and completely free alternative for your word processing needs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Download WPS Office Free' button.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word files to seamlessly continue editing with better formatting control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does widow and orphan control do in Word?
Widow and orphan control prevents a single line of a paragraph from being isolated at the top or bottom of a page. While helpful for readability, it can sometimes alter the exact line counts per page.
Why does hyphenation change my page length?
Automatic hyphenation breaks long words at the end of a line to fit more text into a paragraph. This can shift subsequent text up or down, potentially changing where the natural page break occurs.
How do I completely turn off automatic hyphenation?
Go to the 'Layout' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Hyphenation' within the Page Setup group, and select 'None' from the drop-down menu.
Can I prevent hyphenation for specific paragraphs only?
Yes. Highlight the text you want to protect, open the Paragraph settings dialog box, navigate to the 'Line and Page Breaks' tab, and check the box for 'Don't hyphenate'.
