A section break divides a Word document into independent formatting zones. Unlike a page break, it can change margins, orientation, columns, headers, footers, and page numbering from that point forward.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word 2019 on Windows or Mac when one part of a document needs a different layout, such as a landscape table inside a portrait report or a two-column section inside a normal page.
Insert a Next Page section break
This is the most common section break.
- Click where the new section should begin.
- Open the Layout tab.
- Click Breaks in the Page Setup group.
- Under Section Breaks, choose Next Page.
- Apply the margins, orientation, header, footer, or column setting needed for the new section.
The new section starts on a fresh page and can be formatted separately from the section before it.
Choose the right section break type
All section break types create a separate formatting zone.
- Next Page: starts the new section on the next page. Use this for orientation, margins, chapters, and appendices.
- Continuous: starts the new section on the same page. Use this for switching columns for part of a page.
- Even Page: starts on the next even-numbered page, useful for bound documents.
- Odd Page: starts on the next odd-numbered page, common for chapters in printed books.
More control
Show section breaks
Turn on formatting marks with Ctrl+Shift+8 on Windows or Cmd+8 on Mac. Section breaks appear as labeled dotted lines, such as Section Break (Next Page).
Delete carefully
With formatting marks visible, click before the section break and press Delete. The sections merge, and the following content may inherit formatting from the earlier section.
Unlink headers and footers
New section headers often start with Link to Previous enabled. Open the header or footer and turn off Link to Previous before making section-specific changes.
Restart page numbering
Open Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers, choose Start at, and enter the number for the new section. Use Continue from previous section when numbering should flow normally.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Insert a section break (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Insert, delete, or change a section break (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Add different headers and footers (2024)