Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Word from Opening Documents in Side-by-Side View

Rana Garcia Oct 15, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word from automatically displaying two pages side by side when creating new documents or opening existing ones.

How to Stop Word from Opening Documents in Side-by-Side View

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening new or existing documents in Word.
Observed behavior: Documents default to a side-by-side two-page layout instead of the standard single-page view, typically triggered by a low zoom percentage.

Before you start

Ensure your document is currently in Print Layout mode, as other viewing modes like Read Mode or Web Layout handle page scaling differently and may force a specific layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Force One Page View and Adjust Zoom Level

The quickest way to restore a standard layout is by manually selecting the single-page view option and increasing the zoom level so only one page fits on the screen.

Microsoft Word dynamically adjusts your view based on screen size and zoom settings. If your zoom is set too low (often below 100%), Word will attempt to fit multiple pages on the screen simultaneously.

Open the View tab

Open your document in Microsoft Word and navigate to the "View" tab located on the top ribbon.

Confirm Print Layout

In the "Views" group on the left side of the ribbon, verify that "Print Layout" is selected.

Select One Page

Locate the "Zoom" group and click the "One Page" button. This will force the document to display a single page at a time.

Increase the zoom percentage

If you still see multiple pages or the text is too small, click the "Zoom" icon and increase the zoom level (e.g., to 100%) until only one page fits vertically in the window.

Force One Page View and Adjust Zoom Level

Save the View Settings: After making these changes, type a single character and delete it, then save the document. This helps Word remember your preferred zoom and layout settings for the next time you open a file.

Solution 2

Reset All Word Customizations

If the side-by-side view persists as a stubborn default across all documents, resetting Word's ribbon and customization settings can restore the original behavior.

Efficient Document Management

Easily Control Page Views with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface to control your document layouts without unexpected default behaviors. You can seamlessly switch between single-page, multiple-page, and custom zoom views with just a click.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your desired document.
2. Access View settings: Navigate to the "View" tab on the main ribbon at the top.
3. Switch to One Page: Click on the "One Page" button to instantly restrict the layout to a single vertical page.
4. Adjust the zoom slider: Use the zoom slider located at the bottom right corner of the application window to adjust the page size to your exact preference.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Intuitive View tab for quick layout and zoom adjustmentsStable default settings that remember your preferred reading layoutLightweight application that runs smoothly on any desktop or laptop

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word automatically open in side-by-side view?

Word opens in side-by-side view if the zoom level was previously set to a low percentage (such as 70% or below) or if you are using a large, high-resolution monitor that can comfortably fit two pages side-by-side at your last saved zoom level.

How do I make the single-page view my permanent default in Word?

Open a blank document, set your view to Print Layout, select 'One Page', and adjust the zoom to 100%. Type a single character, delete it, and save or close the document. Word will save this layout state to the Normal.dotm template, applying it to future documents.

Does Read Mode affect side-by-side document viewing?

Yes, Read Mode defaults to a book-like side-by-side layout to simulate reading a physical book. To exit this view, go to the View tab and select Print Layout, or simply press the 'Esc' key on your keyboard.

Office App Problems