Extra space near a Word header or footer can come from the page’s top or bottom margin, the header or footer’s distance from the paper edge, blank paragraphs inside it, or a display setting. Identify the cause before changing a measurement. Setting every margin to zero can clip printed content.
Check whether the gap is only on screen
In Print Layout, Word can show the white space between pages, including header and footer areas. If the gap disappears when this display setting is off but remains normal in print preview, it is a viewing preference. Check File > Options > Display > Show white space between pages in Print Layout view. Microsoft’s display options guide explains the setting.
Adjust the body text margin
- Choose Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.
- Adjust Top or Bottom in small increments, then select OK.
- Review the page in print preview. If the document has sections, check which section the margin change affected.
Top and bottom margins position the document body. They are different from the header or footer position. Microsoft explains custom margins.
Double-click the header or footer. In desktop Word, use the Header from Top or Footer from Bottom position control on the Header & Footer tab to move that area relative to the page edge. Then turn on Home > Show/Hide ¶ and remove unintended empty paragraphs inside the header or footer. Do not remove page numbers or other needed content. Our edit-header guide covers the basic editing controls.
If you want no header or footer, use Insert > Header/Footer > Remove Header/Remove Footer; Word may require this in each section. Keep measurements within your printer’s printable area, and verify the first, middle, and last pages before saving.
You can also enter precise distances in the Page Setup dialog box, which is helpful when a header looks too tall.
- Choose Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.
- Select the Layout tab.
- Under Headers and footers, lower the Header and Footer values in the From edge boxes.
- In Apply to, choose Whole document or This section, then select OK.
A header also grows to fit what’s inside it. If it still looks tall, select its text and reduce the font size or the paragraph spacing before and after. When the header’s content reaches past the top margin, Word pushes the body text down, so shrinking the content often removes the gap.
Use a different header size in one section
Header distances belong to each section. Insert a Next Page section break where the change should start, then set the new distances with Apply to: This section. To give only the first page a different header, double-click the header and select Different First Page.
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