Removing Breaks

Summary: Word supports all types of breaks in a document. Once they are in place, it can be confusing figuring out how to get rid of them. As described in tis tip, breaks are nothing but a special character that you can edit just like other characters. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

Breaks are used quite often in a document to disrupt the normal contiguous flow of text. If you are in Normal view, breaks appear as lines extending the full width of your document window. The type of break is denoted by text in the middle of the line. For instance, column breaks appear as a thin dotted line, with the text "Column Break" in the middle of the dotted line.

Breaks are treated like any other characters in Word. If you want to delete a break, simply position the insertion point on the break and use any of the normal editing keys to delete it. Perhaps the quickest way to remove a break is to position the insertion point on the break and press the Del key.

If you are not working in Normal view, you may want to switch to that viewing mode. It is easier to edit many special characters (such as breaks) if you work in Normal view.

Tip #1021 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

Great Idea! Word is a tool to get what you really want—printed output. This means you need to make sure that Word works as well as possible with your printer, whether it is sitting on your desk or in a room down the hall.

Check out WordTips: Printing and Printers today!

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Removing Breaks