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How to Show Hidden White Space Between Pages in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user needs to restore the visible top and bottom margins (white space) between pages in Microsoft Word's Print Layout view.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reading or formatting a multi-page document where the gaps separating consecutive pages are missing.
- Observed behavior
- The space between pages is hidden, causing pages to appear continuously connected without top or bottom margins.
Ensure your document is currently set to Print Layout view (accessible via the View tab), as white space between pages is only relevant and adjustable in this specific viewing mode.
Use the Double-Click Shortcut to Show White Space
This is the quickest and most common method to toggle and restore hidden white space between pages.
Hover your mouse pointer over the top edge of a page or the thin horizontal line separating two consecutive pages.
Wait a moment until the cursor changes into a double-pointing arrow icon and a tooltip appears reading 'Double-click to show white space'.
Quickly double-click your left mouse button to instantly restore the hidden white space and margins between your pages.
Enable White Space via Word Options
Use this method if the double-click shortcut doesn't work or if you want to permanently change the default display behavior.
Disable Conflicting COM Add-ins
If the white space keeps hiding automatically, a third-party add-in or damaged configuration might be overriding your display preferences.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the white space between pages keep disappearing in Word?
This usually happens if you accidentally double-clicked the gap between pages, which activates a space-saving view. It can also be caused by third-party COM add-ins or a corrupted Normal.dotm template overriding your display preferences.
How do I hide the white space again after showing it?
Hover your mouse cursor over the gap between two pages in Print Layout view until the pointer turns into a double-arrow. Double-click, and the top and bottom margins will be hidden to save screen real estate.
Will hiding or showing white space affect how my document prints?
No, toggling the white space on or off only affects how the document is displayed on your screen. Your printed pages will still retain the exact margin settings configured in your Page Setup.
What should I do if the 'Double-click to show white space' prompt doesn't appear?
First, ensure your document is in 'Print Layout' view by checking the View tab. If you are in Web Layout, Draft, or Outline view, the page boundaries and white space will not be visible.
