The fastest way to start a new page

Press Ctrl+Enter on Windows or Command+Return on Mac. That's it. Word will insert a page break right where your cursor sits and move everything below it to a fresh page. This works in Word on your computer, Word Online in a browser, and Word on mobile devices.

If you prefer using the menu instead, go to the Insert tab at the top, click Page Break, and Word does the same thing. Both methods create what Word calls a "manual page break" — you're telling Word exactly where to split the document, rather than letting it break pages automatically when one fills up.

The keyboard shortcut is faster once you use it a few times, but the menu route works just as well if you're not comfortable with keyboard commands yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac) to insert a page break at your cursor location when ready.
  • Use Insert > Page Break from the menu if you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts.
  • A manual page break forces a new page at that exact spot, even if the current page isn't full.
  • Word Online and mobile Word use the same methods, though the menu path may look slightly different on phones.
  • Delete a page break by clicking right before it and pressing Delete, or by selecting it and pressing Backspace.

When to use a page break instead of just pressing Enter

Pressing Enter repeatedly to push text down to a new page is tempting but creates problems later. If you edit the text above, all those blank lines shift, and your page break moves with them. A manual page break stays exactly where you put it, no matter what you change above it.

Use page breaks when you want a new section to always start on a fresh page — like a new chapter, a title page before your main content, or a table of contents. Use them before major headings or when you're printing and want certain content to land on its own page.

How to see where your page breaks are

Word hides page breaks by default, which can be confusing if you're trying to figure out why text landed where it did. To see them, click the Home tab, then look for the symbol (called a pilcrow) in the toolbar. Click it to show all formatting marks, including page breaks.

Page breaks appear as a dotted line across the page with the words "Page Break" written on it. Once you can see them, you can click right before the break and delete it if you change your mind, or move it by cutting and pasting it elsewhere in your document.

The difference between page breaks and section breaks

A page break straightforward moves to a new page. A section break does that and also lets you change formatting — like switching from one column to two, or changing margins, headers, or page numbering — starting from that point forward.

For most documents, a regular page break is what you need. Section breaks are useful if you're writing something like a report where the first page has different margins than the rest, or a newsletter where some pages are single-column and others are two-column. If you're just trying to start a new page, stick with the page break.

Removing a page break you no longer want

Click right before the page break (you'll see the dotted line if you have formatting marks turned on). Then press the Delete key once. The page break disappears and the text below moves up to fill the space on the previous page.

If you can't see the page break, turn on formatting marks first using the ¶ button in the Home tab. Once you can see it, deletion is straightforward. If text is still not moving the way you expect after deleting a break, check whether there are multiple breaks stacked together — sometimes a document has more than one in the same spot.

Page breaks in Word Online and mobile Word

Word Online (the browser version) uses the same Ctrl+Enter shortcut on Windows. On Mac in a browser, try Command+Return, though some browsers may interpret this differently. You can also use Insert > Page Break from the menu, which works consistently across all versions.

On Word mobile apps for iPhone and Android, tap the Insert tab, then look for Page Break. The layout is simplified compared to desktop Word, but the feature works the same way. If you're on a phone and can't find the option when ready, swipe left through the Insert menu tabs — it may be on a second screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a page break after I've added it?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) when ready after inserting the break, and Word will remove it. If you've made other changes since then, you can still delete the break manually by clicking before it and pressing Delete.

Why is there a blank page in the middle of my document?

Usually because there's a page break (or sometimes multiple page breaks) sitting there. Turn on formatting marks using the ¶ button in the Home tab to see where breaks are. Click before the break and press Delete to remove it. If a blank page persists, check whether there's a large table or image pushing content down.

Does a page break work the same way in Google Docs?

Google Docs uses Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac) for page breaks, just like Word. You can also use Insert > Break > Page Break from the menu. The behavior is nearly identical, though Google Docs calls it a "page break" rather than a "manual page break."

What if I want to start a new page but also change the page numbering or margins?

You need a section break instead of a page break. Go to Insert > Breaks > Section Break (Next Page) to create a break that starts a new page and lets you change formatting from that point forward. Regular page breaks don't allow formatting changes.