Breaks (Page, Column & Section)
Learn how to insert, manage, and delete page breaks, column breaks, and section breaks in Microsoft Word.
Video
Watch the lesson video, then complete the reading and challenge.
Lesson Notes
Read through the key concepts before you try the challenge.
Understanding Breaks
Breaks allow you to control how content flows in your document. You can force text onto a new page, start a new column, or create a new section with different formatting.
Inserting a Page Break
A page break forces content to begin on the next page. Go to the Insert tab and click Page Break, or press Ctrl + Enter.
Inserting a Section Break
Section breaks allow different formatting in different parts of the document, such as changing columns, margins, or orientation.
Types of Section Breaks
Word provides several types of section breaks: Next Page, Continuous, Even Page, and Odd Page. Continuous section breaks are useful when changing formatting without starting a new page.
Column Breaks
A column break forces text to move to the next column. This is useful when working with multi-column layouts.
Viewing Breaks with Show/Hide
Breaks are invisible by default. Click the Show/Hide ¶ button on the Home tab to display formatting marks and see where breaks are located.
Deleting a Break
To delete a break, place your cursor directly before it and press Delete. Removing a section break may change formatting in your document.
Final Result
After inserting and managing breaks correctly, your document should have clean page transitions and properly formatted sections.
Knowledge Check
What type of break forces content to start on a new page?
Practice File
Download this file and follow along with the lesson.
Challenge
Apply what you've learned in this lesson.
Using the provided practice file, complete the following tasks:
- Insert a page break before the 'Monthly Revenue' section.
- Insert a section break before the 'Clients Overview' section.
- Change one section to a two-column layout.
- Use Show/Hide to display formatting marks.
- Delete an unnecessary page or section break.