How to Delete a Page in Google Docs
Need to remove an unwanted page from your document? This guide covers four methods to delete pages in Google Docs, including how to fix stubborn blank pages.
Quick Answer
To delete a page in Google Docs: Select all content on the page and press Delete or Backspace. For blank pages, click at the end of the previous page and press Delete repeatedly.
Why Delete a Page in Google Docs?
Google Docs doesn't have a simple "delete page" button like some word processors. Pages are created automatically based on your content, margins, and formatting. You might need to delete a page when:
- A blank page appears at the end of your document
- You want to remove an entire section of content
- Page breaks are creating unwanted extra pages
- Your document has formatting issues causing blank pages
The good news is there are several ways to remove unwanted pages once you understand what's causing them.
Method 1: Delete the Content
The most straightforward way to delete a page is to remove all content on it:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Click at the very beginning of the page you want to delete.
- Hold Shift and click at the end of the page (or end of document).
- All content on that page should now be selected (highlighted in blue).
- Press Delete or Backspace.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Selecting
Method 2: Remove a Page Break
If your extra page is caused by a manual page break, you need to remove it:
Option 1: Delete from Before
- Click at the very end of the page before the break (after the last character).
- Press Delete on your keyboard.
- The page break will be removed and content will flow normally.
Option 2: Delete from After
- Click at the very beginning of the page after the break.
- Press Backspace.
- The page break will be removed.
Pro Tip: Page breaks are invisible characters. If you're not sure where they are, place your cursor at the end of one page and press Delete, or at the beginning of the next page and press Backspace.
How Page Breaks Are Inserted
For reference, page breaks are inserted with:
- Menu: Insert → Break → Page break
- Shortcut: Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Cmd+Enter (Mac)
Method 3: Adjust Margins
Sometimes a blank page appears because your margins are too large, pushing content onto extra pages. To fix this:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Go to File → Page setup.
- Check your Top and Bottom margins.
- Reduce them if they're larger than needed (1 inch is standard).
- Click OK.
Standard Margin Sizes
Method 4: Fix Line Spacing Issues
Extra pages can be caused by excessive line spacing or paragraph spacing. To check and fix:
Fix Line Spacing
- Select all text (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A).
- Go to Format → Line & paragraph spacing.
- Check for unusual spacing values.
- Select Single or 1.15 for standard spacing.
Check Paragraph Spacing
Also check "before" and "after" paragraph spacing:
- Go to Format → Line & paragraph spacing → Custom spacing.
- Set Before and After to 0 or small values.
- Click Apply.
Delete Blank Page at End of Document
A blank page at the end is a common issue. Here's how to fix it:
Step 1: Position Your Cursor
Click at the very end of your last content (after the final period or character).
Step 2: Press Delete
Press Delete repeatedly. This removes any extra paragraph marks or page breaks causing the blank page.
Step 3: If That Doesn't Work
The blank page might be caused by:
- A table at the end of the document - Google Docs always adds a paragraph after tables
- Section breaks - Check Insert → Break for section break options
- Footer spacing - Large footer margins can push content to new pages
Table Tip: If a table is at the end of your document, try reducing the font size of the final paragraph mark to 1pt, or reduce your bottom margin.
Delete Page on Mobile (iOS & Android)
On the Google Docs mobile app, you can delete pages by removing content:
Mobile Instructions
- Open your document in the Google Docs app.
- Tap and hold to select text, then drag handles to select all content on the page.
- Tap the backspace/delete key on your keyboard.
- For blank pages, place cursor at end of previous page and tap delete.
Note: Some advanced formatting options (like page setup) aren't available on mobile. For complex issues, use the desktop version.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Page Won't Delete?
- Make sure you're in Editing mode - not Viewing or Suggesting mode.
- Check for hidden page breaks or section breaks.
- Try selecting content manually instead of using shortcuts.
- Reduce margins to see if that removes the page.
Blank Page Keeps Coming Back?
- There's likely a formatting element causing it.
- Check for tables, images, or text boxes that might be creating extra space.
- Look at paragraph spacing settings.
- Review footer and header margins.
Can't See What's Causing the Extra Page?
- Try selecting "all" (Ctrl+A) and checking font size - paragraph marks inherit font size.
- Place cursor at end of content and press Delete multiple times.
- Check View → Show section breaks if available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I delete a blank page in Google Docs?
Click at the end of the page before the blank page and press Delete repeatedly. If that doesn't work, check for page breaks, extra paragraph marks, or spacing issues.
Why can't I delete a page in Google Docs?
You might not be able to delete a page because of manual page breaks, large margins, extra line spacing, or formatting elements like tables. Check each of these potential causes.
How do I remove a page break in Google Docs?
Click just before the page break (at the end of the previous page) and press Delete. Or click just after the page break and press Backspace. The break is an invisible character that gets removed.
Is there a "delete page" button in Google Docs?
No, Google Docs doesn't have a dedicated "delete page" button. Pages are created based on content and formatting, so you delete pages by removing the content or formatting that creates them.
How do I delete multiple pages at once?
Click at the beginning of the first page you want to delete, hold Shift, and click at the end of the last page. Then press Delete. All selected content and pages will be removed.
Summary
To delete a page in Google Docs, try these methods:
- Delete content: Select all content on the page and press Delete.
- Remove page break: Place cursor and press Delete or Backspace.
- Adjust margins: File → Page setup → Reduce margins.
- Fix spacing: Format → Line & paragraph spacing.
For stubborn blank pages, check for tables, section breaks, or footer spacing that might be causing the extra page.
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