The page break shortcut key in Word is Ctrl + Enter. Put the cursor where the new page should begin and press it: everything after the cursor moves to the top of the next page. This is the clean way to start a new chapter or section, instead of pressing Enter many times.
To add a completely blank page at the cursor, use Alt, N, N, P. For a new page that can have a different orientation or header, insert a section break instead, explained below.
Quick facts
New page (page break)
Ctrl + EnterBlank page
Alt, then N, then N, then PNext page section break
Alt, then P, then B, then NLine break
Shift + EnterColumn break
Ctrl + Shift + EnterSee breaks
Ctrl + Shift + 8
Page break shortcut key and other breaks
| Break | Keys | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Page break | Ctrl + Enter | Text after the cursor starts on a new page |
| Blank page | Alt, then N, then N, then P | An empty page inserted at the cursor |
| Section break, next page | Alt, then P, then B, then N | New page with its own layout settings |
| Line break | Shift + Enter | New line, same paragraph |
| Column break | Ctrl + Shift + Enter | Text jumps to the next column |
Insert new page in Word, step by step
- Click at the end of the last line of the current page, or before the heading that should start a new page.
- Press Ctrl + Enter.
- The cursor and any text after it move to the top of a new page.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + 8 to see the Page Break mark if you want to check it.
Pressing Enter many times instead seems to work but breaks as soon as you add or remove a line above. A page break always keeps the heading at the top of its page.
Start each heading on a new page automatically
For reports and projects where every chapter must start on a fresh page, set it in the heading style instead of adding breaks. Right click Heading 1 in the Styles gallery, choose Modify, then Format, Paragraph, the Line and Page Breaks tab, and tick Page break before. Every Heading 1 now starts a new page by itself.
Next page shortcut in Word: section breaks
A section break does more than a page break: the new section can be landscape while the rest is portrait, or have its own header and page numbering. Insert it with Alt, P, B, N, or Layout, Breaks, Next Page. Use it for a wide table in the middle of a portrait report, or to start page numbers after a cover page.
Remove a page break
Reveal formatting symbols using Ctrl + Shift + 8, click the dotted Page Break line, and press Delete. The text joins up again. Blank pages caused by breaks are covered in detail in how to delete a page in Word.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Enter adds a blank line only | You are in a table cell or text box; click outside it |
| Extra blank page appears | Two breaks in a row; delete one |
| Layout changes after removing a break | It was a section break; undo and remove empty lines instead |
Frequently asked questions
What is the page break shortcut key?
How do I insert a new page in Word with the keyboard?
Press Ctrl + Enter for a page break, or Alt, N, N, P for a blank page.
What is the difference between a page break and a section break?
A section break also lets the new part have different layout, headers or page numbers.
How do I remove a page break?
Show marks with Ctrl + Shift + 8, click the break and press Delete.
What does Shift + Enter do in Word?
It starts a new line without starting a new paragraph.
How do I add a new page in Word on Mac?
Use Insert, then Page Break.