A Next Page section break starts a new section on the following page in Microsoft Word. Use it when the next part of a document needs different formatting, such as margins, page orientation, columns, page numbering, or headers. If you only need to move text to a new page, use a regular page break.
Insert a Next Page section break
- Open the document in desktop Word and place the cursor where the new section should begin.
- Choose Layout > Breaks.
- Under Section Breaks, choose Next Page. The text after the cursor starts on a new page in a new section.
- Click in the new section and change its layout or header settings as needed.
Microsoft’s section-break instructions show the menu and the other section-break types. Word for the web can display existing section breaks but cannot add one; open the document in the desktop app to insert it.
When to use a section break instead of a page break
A page break moves the following content to the next page within the same section. A Next Page section break both moves it and creates a new section whose formatting can differ. For example, place one before a landscape page and another after it, then change orientation only in the middle section. See Microsoft’s guide to formatting individual sections.
Headers and footers in a new section may remain linked to the previous section. If you want a different header, double-click the new section’s header and turn off Link to Previous before editing it. Repeat for the footer if needed. Our different headers guide walks through that setup.
Show, change, or remove the break
Choose Home > ¶ to show formatting marks. You will see a line labeled Section Break (Next Page). If the break is in the wrong place, undo and insert it at the correct cursor position. Before deleting one, check the formatting of the sections it separates: removing a section break merges sections and can change their page layout, headers, or numbering.
Common questions
Why did a blank page appear?
A Next Page section break always moves following content to a new page. Check for an additional page break or empty paragraphs nearby if you see an extra page. If you need a new section without starting a new page, consider a Continuous section break.
Why did my header stay the same?
The new section’s header may be linked to the previous section. Open it and switch off Link to Previous before changing the header.
Can I insert this in Word for the web?
No. Use desktop Word to add a section break, then return to the web version if you prefer to continue editing there.
Is a hard page break the same as a Next Page section break?
No. A hard (manual) page break, inserted with Insert > Page Break or Ctrl+Enter in Word for Windows, only pushes the following text to a new page. That page stays in the same section, so its margins, orientation, and headers can’t be set separately. When you need a new page and a new section, use Layout > Breaks > Next Page as shown above.
Matt has been writing about Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft products since the days of Windows XP. He spends much of his time writing for sites like WindowBrain.com