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How to Fix Word Documents Showing Multiple Pages Side by Side
Question details
The user needs to change the document view from a side-by-side multi-page layout back to a standard single-page vertical scroll.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing and reading a document
- Observed behavior
- Pages are displayed across the screen in a side-by-side arrangement instead of the normal vertical scrolling view.
Ensure you have the document open in Print Layout view before attempting to change the page movement or zoom settings.
Change Page Movement to Vertical and Set Zoom to One Page
Adjusting the page movement and zoom settings from the View tab will restore the default single-page view.
Microsoft Word sometimes switches to a side-by-side reading view depending on your zoom level or display settings. Restoring the vertical scrolling option is a quick fix.
Navigate to the top ribbon of your Word application and click on the 'View' tab.
Look for the 'Page Movement' group. If 'Side to Side' is currently highlighted, click on 'Vertical' to change the scrolling behavior.
If the document still shows multiple pages while in Vertical mode, find the 'Zoom' section on the View ribbon and click 'One Page'.
Easily Manage Document Views with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a highly intuitive Writer application that allows you to seamlessly switch between reading views, adjust zoom levels, and perfectly format your documents without confusion.
- 1. Open your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your Word document.
- 2. Go to the View Tab: Click on the 'View' tab located in the top menu ribbon.
- 3. Select One Page: Click on 'One Page' in the Zoom settings to ensure your document displays in a standard vertical layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word document suddenly change to a side-by-side view?
This typically happens if you accidentally clicked the 'Side to Side' page movement option or if you zoomed out significantly on a wide screen, prompting the software to display multiple pages to fill the blank space.
Can I view two pages side by side but still scroll vertically?
Yes, you can achieve this by setting the Page Movement to 'Vertical' and then clicking 'Multiple Pages' in the Zoom section of the View tab.
What is the best view for editing a document?
The 'Print Layout' view is the most recommended for editing, as it shows you exactly how the document will look when printed, including margins, headers, and footers.
