How to Stop Word Printing Blank Cover Pages in Booklet Mode
Question details
The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word from inserting an unwanted blank cover page when printing a legal-size, double-sided document as a booklet.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a double-sided, legal-size document formatted as a booklet.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word automatically outputs an extra, unexpected blank cover page at the beginning of the booklet print job.
Ensure you have a reliable PDF reader installed, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or WPS PDF, as the most effective workaround involves exporting your document to a PDF format before printing.
Change Layout Settings and Print via PDF Reader
Bypass Word's native booklet printing glitch by adjusting the page setup, exporting the document as a PDF, and utilizing a dedicated PDF reader for booklet printing.
Microsoft Word's 'Book fold' feature sometimes miscalculates pagination or forces blank pages to round out the sheet count. Exporting to a PDF standardizes the layout, allowing your PDF software to handle the booklet formatting correctly without adding blank cover pages.
In Microsoft Word, navigate to the 'Layout' or 'Page Layout' tab. Click 'Page Setup', and under the 'Pages' section, change the 'Multiple pages' dropdown from 'Book fold' to '2 pages per sheet'.
Click on 'File' > 'Save As'. Choose your desired folder destination, select 'PDF' from the 'Save as type' dropdown menu, and click 'Save'.
Locate the newly created PDF file and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader (or another reliable PDF viewer).
Go to 'File' > 'Print' in your PDF reader. In the Print dialog box, look for 'Page Sizing & Handling' and select 'Booklet'. Ensure your printer is set to print on both sides, then click 'Print'.
Print Booklets Without Blank Pages Using WPS Office
Avoid Microsoft Word's booklet pagination glitches by switching to WPS Office. WPS Writer natively handles document booklet printing seamlessly and offers full compatibility with your existing Word files.
- 1. Open the Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word document.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or use the shortcut Ctrl + P.
- 3. Enable Booklet Printing: In the Print dialog box, locate the 'Zoom and Page' section and check the option for 'Booklet printing'.
- 4. Print the Document: Configure your double-sided printing preferences, verify the preview, and click 'Print' to get a perfectly formatted booklet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word automatically insert a blank page in Book fold mode?
Word often inserts blank pages in 'Book fold' mode to ensure the total page count is a multiple of four. This is a standard requirement for saddle-stitch binding, but software glitches can sometimes place these blank pages incorrectly at the cover.
How can I check for hidden formatting that causes blank pages?
Go to the 'Home' tab in Word and click the Pilcrow (¶) icon to display hidden formatting marks. Look for any unintended 'Page Break' or 'Section Break' markers near the beginning or end of your document and delete them.
Does saving as a PDF permanently alter my document layout?
No, exporting to PDF creates a separate, read-only file that preserves your exact layout. Your original Word document remains unchanged, allowing you to bypass printing errors while keeping the source file intact.
What is the difference between 'Book fold' and '2 pages per sheet'?
'Book fold' automatically reorders and paginates your document so it can be folded in half and read like a book. '2 pages per sheet' simply shrinks two consecutive pages to fit on one side of the paper without rearranging the reading order.
