Office Settings & Configuration

How to Show Hidden Top and Bottom Margins in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the visibility of top and bottom margins, headers, footers, and white space in Microsoft Word.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing or viewing a document where pages lack vertical separation.
Observed behavior: Pages appear square and compacted because the white space between them, including top and bottom margins, is completely hidden.

Before you start

Ensure your document is currently set to 'Print Layout' view (navigate to View > Print Layout), as margins and page separations are naturally hidden in Web Layout or Draft views.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore White Space by Double-Clicking Between Pages

This is the quickest shortcut to instantly toggle the visibility of the top and bottom margins while working in Print Layout view.

Microsoft Word includes a quick-click feature to hide white space, which saves screen space for reading. If you accidentally triggered it, you can easily reverse the action using the same method.

Position your cursor

Hover your mouse cursor directly over the solid horizontal line that separates two pages in your Word document.

Wait for the prompt

Wait a moment until the cursor changes into a double-pointing vertical arrow accompanied by a tooltip that says 'Double-click to show white space'.

Double-click to restore

Double-click the left mouse button. Your top and bottom margins, along with headers and footers, will instantly reappear.

Quick Toggle Tip: You can use this exact same double-click maneuver to hide the white space again whenever you want to fit more text on your screen.

Solution 2

Enable White Space via Word Display Options

Use this method if the double-click shortcut is difficult to trigger or if you want to verify the background application settings.

Solution 3

Verify Page Size and Orientation Settings

If restoring the white space doesn't fix the square appearance of your pages, your actual document layout settings may have been altered.

WPS Writer Solution

Easily Manage Document Margins and Layouts in WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides an intuitive interface for document formatting. You can seamlessly toggle white space, adjust margins, and manage page layouts just like you would in Microsoft Word—but completely for free.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your document in Print Layout view.
2. Toggle white space: Hover your mouse over the gap between any two pages until the 'Show White Space' icon appears, then simply click it.
3. Access advanced view settings: Alternatively, click the main Menu > Options > View, and check 'White space between pages' to apply the setting globally.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx, .doc)Easily toggle white space and adjust page margins with visual indicatorsFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interfaceLightweight application that runs smoothly on almost any device

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my top and bottom margins suddenly disappear in Word?

This usually happens if you accidentally double-click the gap between pages while scrolling. Microsoft Word includes this feature to hide white space, headers, and footers to save screen space and minimize distractions while reading or editing.

Does hiding the white space affect how my document prints?

No, hiding white space only affects your digital screen view in Print Layout. When you print the document or export it as a PDF, the actual top margins, bottom margins, headers, and footers will print normally based on your Layout settings.

How do I change the actual size of the margins instead of just showing hidden ones?

To physically change the margin dimensions, go to the 'Layout' tab on the ribbon, click 'Margins', and select one of the preset options. If you need specific measurements, click 'Custom Margins' at the bottom of the drop-down menu to enter exact values for the top, bottom, left, and right edges.

Office App Problems