How to Remove a Blank Final Page Caused by a Word Table
Question details
The user wants to remove an extra, undeletable blank page at the end of a document (often a résumé or CV) caused by a table taking up the previous page.
- Product
- Word Processing
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting a résumé, CV, or standardized document that ends with a full-page table.
- Observed behavior
- An undeletable blank page appears at the end of the document because the word processor forces a mandatory paragraph mark immediately after every table.
Make sure formatting symbols are visible in your document so you can easily locate and select the final paragraph mark that is causing the extra page.
Reduce the Font Size and Line Spacing of the Final Paragraph Mark
The most reliable way to remove the blank page is to make the mandatory paragraph mark after the table as small as possible so it fits on the same page.
Because word processors require a paragraph mark after a table, you cannot simply delete it. Shrinking it to 1 point usually allows it to slip into the bottom margin of the page containing your table.
Go to the Home tab and click the Show/Hide ¶ button to reveal hidden formatting symbols.
Scroll to the blank page and carefully highlight the paragraph mark (¶) immediately following your table.
In the Home tab, click inside the Font Size box, type '1', and press Enter.
Right-click the highlighted paragraph mark, select Paragraph, change the Line Spacing dropdown to 'Exactly', set it to 1 pt, and click OK.
Format the Paragraph Mark as Hidden Text
If shrinking the paragraph mark does not work, you can format it as hidden text to remove the extra page.
Adjust the Document Bottom Margin
Slightly reducing the bottom margin gives the mandatory paragraph mark enough room to fit below the table on the same page.
Easily Format Documents and Resumes with WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive, highly compatible word processing experience. Easily manage formatting marks, adjust tables, and perfect your professional résumés without struggling with stubborn blank pages.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your resume or document containing the table.
- 2. Show formatting marks: Navigate to the Home tab and click the Show/Hide ¶ icon to display hidden paragraph marks.
- 3. Shrink the mark: Select the final paragraph mark, change the font size to 1, and press Enter to instantly remove the blank page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word automatically add a blank page after my table?
Word processors require a final, undeletable paragraph mark after every table to separate the table from subsequent text. If your table reaches the very bottom of the page, this paragraph mark gets pushed to a new page, creating an unwanted blank page.
Can I just press the Backspace or Delete key to remove the page?
No. The paragraph mark directly following a table is mandatory and cannot be deleted using the Backspace or Delete keys. You must format it to be smaller or mark it as hidden to remove the blank page.
Will making the text hidden affect how my document prints or exports to PDF?
No, as long as your print settings are configured not to print hidden text, the blank page will not print, and your document will look exactly as intended when exported to PDF.
Why did my resume template suddenly cause this blank page issue?
Many professional resume and CV templates are built using invisible tables to keep the layout neatly aligned. Because the invisible table spans the whole page, the mandatory end-of-table paragraph mark is forced onto a second page.
