If you are using Microsoft Word on a MacBook you might occasionally find an extra page you do not want. Whether it is a blank page at the end of a document or one filled with content you no longer need deleting a page in Word is not always as simple as pressing one key. The way Word handles formatting section breaks and hidden characters can make it a bit tricky to remove an unwanted page especially if you are unfamiliar with macOS shortcuts or Word’s layout.
This guide will help you understand how to delete a page in Word on a MacBook using different methods depending on the type of content or page. You will also learn how to reveal hidden formatting marks and manage blank spaces so your document looks exactly how you want it.
Deleting a Blank Page
A common issue for Word users is a mysterious blank page at the end of a document. This usually happens because of an extra paragraph mark or a manual page break. To delete it start by turning on formatting marks. Go to Word > Preferences > View and tick Paragraph marks or click the ¶ icon in the Home tab of the ribbon.
Once visible you can see if there is a paragraph mark or page break at the start of the blank page. Place your cursor in front of the mark then press Delete or Backspace until the page disappears. If the page remains try selecting the entire blank space with your cursor and pressing Delete again.
Deleting a Page with Text
If the page has text you want to remove click and drag your cursor to select everything on the page. Be sure to highlight from just before the first character to just after the last one. Then press Delete. You can also use Command + A to select all content and remove it if you want to delete the entire document.
For a more precise method click anywhere on the page you want to delete. Then go to Edit > Find > Go To and type \page in the ‘Enter page number’ box. Click Go To then close the window. The entire page should now be selected. Press Delete to remove it.
Using Navigation Pane to Locate Pages
Word for Mac includes a Navigation Pane which can help you quickly see and jump to different pages. Go to View and tick Navigation Pane. In the panel that appears on the left side click the Pages tab. This shows thumbnail previews of each page so you can easily find and select the one you want to remove.
Once located follow the earlier steps to select the content and delete it. If it is a blank page check again for hidden paragraph marks or breaks that need to be removed.
Removing Section Breaks
Sometimes a section break creates a new page even if there is no content. To check for section breaks enable formatting marks as explained earlier. If you see a section break on the page select it and press Delete.
Keep in mind that deleting a section break might affect the formatting of your document especially if different sections use different headers footers or margins. It is always a good idea to save a copy of your file before making structural changes like this.
Final Tips for a Clean Document
To avoid future issues with unwanted pages always use Word’s built-in paragraph and spacing tools rather than adding blank lines to create space. Use Page Break only when you need to force content onto a new page and remember to remove it when you no longer need it.
If you are working with templates or documents that others have edited check for hidden elements like tables or text boxes that may be keeping a page alive even if it looks empty.
Final Thoughts
Deleting a page in Word on a MacBook may not always be obvious but it is simple once you know where to look. Whether it is a blank page created by an extra return or a full page of content you want to remove using formatting tools and smart selection techniques makes the process quick and clean. With a little practice your Word documents will look neat and professional on every page.