Microsoft Word for Mac is a powerful word processor that is widely used by professionals, students, and writers. However, sometimes users may face a common issue of having an extra page in their Word document that they cannot remove. This can be frustrating, especially if you are trying to prepare a report or document that needs to be concise and clear.
Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of an extra page in Word Mac. In this article, we will show you three methods that you can use to solve this problem. We will also cover what to do if you can’t remove the extra page with these methods, provide a bonus tip, answer some frequently asked questions, and give our final thoughts on the topic.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Get Rid of an Extra Page in Word Mac
Extra pages in a Word document can occur for several reasons, including formatting errors, page breaks, or incorrect paragraph spacing. Regardless of the cause, having an extra page in your document can make it look unprofessional and confusing. It’s also a waste of valuable space that could be used for other content.
If you’re working on a project that requires strict formatting guidelines, such as a thesis or an academic paper, having an extra page can negatively impact your final grade or review. Removing an extra page is a crucial task for anyone who wants to create a polished, professional-looking document.
Method 1: Via Navigation Pane
The Navigation Pane in Word Mac is a helpful feature that allows you to move around your document quickly. This method requires you to use the Navigation Pane to identify where the extra page is and then remove it.
1. Open your Word document on your Mac.
2. Click on the "View" tab in the top menu bar.
3. Click on "Navigation Pane" to open the pane on the left side of the screen.
4. In the Navigation Pane, locate the heading for the section that has an extra page. If you don’t see any headings listed, your document may not have any headings applied to it.
5. Identify the page that follows the extra page you want to delete.
6. Place your cursor at the end of the last line on the previous page before the extra page.
7. Press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
Pros:
-Quick and easy to use.
-Allows you to see your headings and the structure of your document.
-Doesn’t change the formatting of your document.
Cons:
-If you don’t have headings in your document, this method won’t be available.
-You need to know where the extra page is to use this method effectively.
-If you accidentally delete the wrong text, it can impact the formatting of your document.
Method 2: Via Section Breaks
Section breaks in Word Mac are used to separate different parts of your document and apply different formatting to each section. This method uses section breaks to identify where the extra page is and remove it.
1. Open your Word document on your Mac.
2. Click on the "View" tab in the top menu bar.
3. Click on "Print Layout" to view your document in the print layout mode.
4. Scroll down to the end of the page before the extra page you want to delete.
5. Click on the "Insert" tab in the top menu bar.
6. Click on "Break" and select "Next Page" under section breaks.
7. You should see a new empty page after the one you want to delete. Highlight the entire page and press "Backspace" on your keyboard.
Pros:
-Allows you to remove unwanted pages effectively.
-Separates different sections in your document for better organization and formatting.
Cons:
-If you have a complex document with multiple sections, this method may not be as efficient.
-If you accidentally delete the wrong text or section break, it can impact the formatting of your document.
Method 3: Via Paragraph Settings
Paragraph settings in Word Mac control how your text appears on a page, including indentation, spacing, and alignment. This method uses paragraph settings to identify where the extra page is and remove it.
1. Open your Word document on your Mac.
2. Click on the "View" tab in the top menu bar.
3. Click on "Print Layout" to view your document in the print layout mode.
4. Scroll down to the page that comes after the extra page you want to delete.
5. Highlight all the text on the page, except for the last paragraph.
6. Go to the "Format" menu in the top menu bar and click on "Paragraph".
7. In the Paragraph dialog box, set the "Line spacing" to "Single", and the "before" and "after" options to "0".
8. Click "OK" to save the settings.
9. Place your cursor at the end of the last line on the previous page before the extra page.
10. Press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
Pros:
-Allows you to remove unwanted pages quickly and easily.
-Gives you more control over how your text appears on a page.
Cons:
-If you have a document with multiple paragraphs, this method may be time-consuming.
-If you accidentally delete the wrong text, it can impact the formatting of your document.
What to Do If You Can’t Get Rid of an Extra Page in Word Mac
If you have tried all three methods and still can’t remove the extra page in your Word document, don’t panic. There are a few things you can try:
1. Check for blank spaces or characters: Sometimes, a blank space or hidden character at the end of the page can cause an extra page to appear. Place your cursor at the end of the last line on the previous page before the extra page, and press the "Delete" key several times to check if there are any hidden spaces or characters.
2. Adjust the margins: In some cases, a document with narrow margins can cause an extra page to appear. Go to the "Page Layout" tab in the top menu bar, click on "Margins," and select "Normal."
3. Use the "Shrink One Page" tool: If you have a lot of graphics and charts on your extra page, try using the "Shrink One Page" tool. Go to the "File" menu, click on "Print," and select "Microsoft Print to PDF." Under "Microsoft Print to PDF," select "Shrink One Page" and then click on "Print."
Bonus Tip
If you want to avoid ending up with an extra page in your document in the first place, here’s a bonus tip: check your document for page breaks. To do this, go to the "Home" tab in the top menu bar, click on the "Show/Hide" button (¶), and look for the page break character (a dotted line with the word "Page Break" in the middle). Make sure you only have a page break when you need it and not in areas where you don’t.
5 FAQs
Q1: Why does Word Mac sometimes create an extra page?
A: Word Mac can create an extra page due to formatting errors, page breaks, or incorrect paragraph spacing.
Q2: Will removing an extra page impact the formatting of my document?
A: Removing an extra page may impact the formatting of your document, particularly if you accidentally delete the wrong text or section break.
Q3: Can I use these methods in Word on a Windows computer?
A: Yes, these methods can also be used in Word on a Windows computer.
Q4: How do I check my document for page breaks?
A: Go to the "Home" tab in the top menu bar, click on the "Show/Hide" button (¶), and look for the page break character (a dotted line with the word "Page Break" in the middle).
Q5: Why might I need to use section breaks in my document?
A: Section breaks are used to separate different parts of your document and apply different formatting to each section.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of an extra page in Word Mac can be frustrating, but with the methods we’ve outlined in this article, you should be able to remove any unwanted pages quickly and easily. Remember to check your document for hidden spaces, check your margins, and be careful when deleting any text or sections. With these tips, you can create a polished, professional-looking document that meets your formatting needs.