Word Page Break Shortcut (Ctrl+Enter / ⌘↵)
Place the cursor where the new page should start and press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or ⌘+Return (Mac) to insert a page break.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insert a page break | ⌘+Return | Ctrl+Enter | |
| Insert a column break | ⌘+⇧+Return | Ctrl+Shift+Enter | |
| Delete a page break | Delete on it | Backspace/Delete on it |
Break to a new page cleanly
Instead of pressing Enter repeatedly to push text down, put your cursor at the spot and press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or ⌘+Return (Mac). Word inserts a hard page break so the following text always starts at the top of the next page, even if you edit the content above it. Turn on formatting marks (Ctrl+* / ⌘+8) to see the dotted “Page Break” line.
Windows vs Mac
Both use the same combo with Ctrl/Command plus Enter/Return. To remove a break, click just before it with formatting marks visible and press Delete. A section break is different — use Layout → Breaks for that; Ctrl+Enter only makes a simple page break.
FAQ
What is the page break shortcut in Word?
Press Ctrl+Enter on Windows or ⌘+Return on the Mac. Everything after the cursor moves to the top of a new page.
How do I insert a page break on a Mac?
Place the cursor where the new page should begin and press ⌘+Return (Command+Return). Word adds a hard page break.
How do I delete a page break?
Turn on formatting marks (Ctrl+* / ⌘+8), click just before the Page Break line, and press Delete or Backspace.