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How to Fix Large Gaps Between Pages in Word Multiple-Page View
Question details
The user is experiencing a display issue where an abnormally large gap appears between side-by-side pages in a document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing a multi-page document side-by-side using the Multiple Pages view at standard zoom levels.
- Observed behavior
- Word displays an unusually large amount of empty gray space between the pages, breaking the normal side-by-side reading layout.
Ensure your document's zoom level is set appropriately for multiple pages (typically around 100% or slightly less depending on your monitor resolution). Save your current document to prevent any accidental data loss while adjusting the view and review settings.
Modify Comment and Markup Display Settings
The extra space between pages is often automatically reserved for comment balloons or track changes markups. Hiding these elements usually restores the normal page gap.
Microsoft Word dynamically adjusts the spacing between pages in multiple-page view to accommodate reviewing panes. If comments are active, the layout engine forces a wider gap.
Open your Word document and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon menu.
Look for the 'Comments' group on the ribbon. Click on 'Show Comments' to toggle the feature off, which will hide the side comment pane.
In the 'Tracking' group, click the 'Display for Review' dropdown menu and change it from 'All Markup' to 'No Markup'. This prevents balloons from expanding the page margins.
Disable Modern Comments in Word Options
Microsoft Word's Modern Comments feature can sometimes force abnormal spacing in multiple-page layouts. Reverting to classic comments can resolve the issue.
Test with Compatibility Mode
Document layout engines behave differently across different Word versions. Saving the file in an older format triggers Compatibility Mode, which may bypass the display bug.
Try WPS Office for a Flawless Document Viewing Experience
If Microsoft Word's layout bugs and modern comments spacing are disrupting your reading workflow, WPS Office provides a highly compatible and lightweight alternative. WPS Writer offers a clean, customizable multi-page viewing mode without unexpected layout gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word leave so much empty space between pages in Print Layout?
This usually happens because Word reserves invisible space on the right or left side of the page to display track changes, markup balloons, or modern comments. Hiding the markup or disabling modern comments removes this reserved space and restores the standard gap.
How do I view two pages side-by-side in Word without large gaps?
Go to the 'View' tab on the ribbon, select 'Multiple Pages', and use the zoom slider at the bottom right to adjust the scale to around 100%. Ensure that 'Show Comments' under the 'Review' tab is toggled off to prevent the layout engine from reserving blank space.
Can a corrupted comment cause multiple-page view layout issues?
Yes. Occasionally, an abnormally long or corrupted comment balloon can force the document layout to expand horizontally, creating a massive gray gap between side-by-side pages. Locating and deleting the problematic comment can quickly fix the layout.
Does turning off modern comments delete my existing comments?
No. Disabling the 'Enable modern comments' setting via File > Options > General only changes how the Word application renders the comments on your screen. Your actual text and comments remain safely preserved within the document.
