How to Remove an Extra Blank Page in Google Docs

An extra blank page in Google Docs is usually caused by a hidden page break, section break, or empty paragraph. Turn on non-printing characters, identify what is creating the page, and delete only that marker.

Last verified: July 24, 2026.

Do not repeatedly press Backspace without first checking the cause. A section break may control page numbers, margins, or headers elsewhere in the document.

Fastest Fix: Reveal Hidden Formatting

1. Click View > Show non-printing characters.
2. Look at the end of the page before the blank one.
3. Identify a Page break, Section break, or repeated paragraph marks.
4. Place the cursor immediately after the unwanted marker.
5. Press Backspace or Delete.

This is also the first check recommended in a recent Google Docs community answer.

If It Is a Page Break

Google's current break instructions say to click under the page break and press Backspace or Delete until it is removed.

Deleting a normal page break joins the content on the next page to the previous page.

If It Is a Section Break

Pause before deleting it. A section break may be responsible for:

• Restarted page numbering
• Different headers or footers
• Different margins
• A landscape page inside a portrait document

If you delete it, the section after the break inherits formatting from the section before it. Check page numbers, headers, orientation, and margins immediately afterward.

If the section formatting is needed, keep the break and solve the blank page another way—for example, reduce the preceding content or move the break to the correct position.

If It Is an Empty Paragraph

Click after the final paragraph mark on the blank page and press Backspace.

If the paragraph follows a table, Docs may require a final paragraph after the table. In that case:

1. Select the empty paragraph after the table.
2. Reduce its font size.
3. Set line spacing to single.
4. Remove spacing before and after the paragraph.

This can pull the required paragraph back onto the previous page without changing the table.

If Text Is Pushing One Line Onto a New Page

The page may look blank while containing one invisible or nearly invisible paragraph.

Try:

• Removing spacing after the last visible paragraph
• Reducing the bottom page margin slightly
• Shortening the content above
• Checking whether a heading uses Add page break before
• Checking line and paragraph spacing

Avoid shrinking all document text just to remove one page.

If the Blank Page Appears Only When Printing

When the document itself looks correct but print preview adds blank pages:

1. Open the document in a private or incognito window.
2. Print or export again.
3. If the problem disappears, disable browser extensions one at a time.
4. Pay special attention to writing assistants, PDF tools, and extensions that modify pages.
5. Try another browser before restructuring the document.

This is a different problem from a visible blank page inside the editor.

On Android or iPhone

Mobile Docs exposes fewer formatting markers than the desktop editor. The practical approach is:

1. Tap near the start of the blank page.
2. Use Backspace to remove empty paragraphs or a nearby page break.
3. If the cause is unclear, open the document in desktop Google Docs.
4. Use View > Show non-printing characters before deleting a section break.

The desktop editor is safer when the document has complex sections, page numbers, or tables.

When the Blank Page Is Intentional

Each document tab must contain at least one page. If you are using Google Docs tabs, an empty tab can therefore appear as a blank page. Delete the tab itself only if you no longer need it; do not remove the entire tab merely to fix a break inside another tab.

Quick Diagnosis

Related Google Docs Fixes

• How to Start Page Numbers on a Specific Page in Google Docs
• Why Pages Disappeared in Google Docs

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