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Fix Page Gaps in Word (Current Document): Hide/Show White Space

AuthorZhoumandyLast modified

In Print Layout, Word may show a large “page gap” between pages. This gap is the white space (the top and bottom margins plus the header/footer area). It’s useful when you’re checking layout, but it can also make documents feel long and slow to scroll. In this guide, you’ll learn two quick ways to hide or show that white space in the current document.

Method 1 — Word Built-in Toggle (Double-Click)

Before you start: Make sure your document is in Print Layout view.

Option A: Double-click the page boundary (fastest)

  1. Open your document.
  2. Move your cursor to the boundary between two pages (the thin line / gap area).
  3. When your pointer changes (and you see a tooltip such as “Double-click to hide/show white space”), double-click.

Result: Word instantly toggles the white space between pages for what you’re viewing.

Option A: Double-click the page boundary

Pros
  • ✔ Fastest toggle—double-click
  • ✔ Works right where you’re reading/editing (no menus)
Cons
  • ✘ Easy to miss—the boundary “hot spot” is small
  • ✘ Prone to error—if you’re not exactly on the boundary line, nothing happens
  • ✘ Not discoverable—many users don’t know this trick exists

Option B: Use Word Options (when double-click is finicky)

  1. Open your document, and go to File > Options.
  2. In the Word Options dialog, do the following:
    • ① Click Display.
    • ② Find Page display options, then check/uncheck: Show white space between pages in Print Layout view.
    • ③ Click OK.

Option B: Use Word Options

Pros
  • ✔ More controlled—no need to hit the tiny boundary area
  • ✔ Reliable fallback when Option A won’t trigger
Cons
  • ✘ Slower—requires multiple clicks and a deeper menu path
  • ✘ Misleading—looks like a general setting, but affects only the current document
  • ✘ Not convenient for frequent switching—if you toggle often, it interrupts your flow.

Method 2 — Kutools: Show/Hide in Current Document

If you toggle this often—especially in long documents—Kutools for Word makes the switch more visible and repeatable via Compact View.

Where to find it: After installing Kutools for Word, click Kutools > the arrow next to Compact View in the View group.

the arrow next to Compact View

Hide white space in the current document

  1. Open your document.
  2. Click Kutools > the arrow next to Compact View.
  3. Select Hide White Space in the Current Document.

Hide white space in the current document using Kutools

Show white space in the current document

  1. Open your document.
  2. Click Kutools > the arrow next to Compact View.
  3. Select Show White Space in the Current Document.

Show white space in the current document using Kutools

Tip: These two commands are explicitly per-document, which is great when you want one file in “compact” mode while keeping other documents in normal view.

Pros
  • ✔ Clear current-document control — targets the current document for multi-file work.
  • ✔ One-click and consistent — no boundary hunting or finicky hot spots.
  • ✔ Easy to repeat — perfect for frequent compact/layout switches.
 
Kutools for Word
Show or hide page white space in the current document with one click. No boundary hunting. No confusing settings.

Practice Tips — Best Times to Toggle

  • Hide white space when reading or reviewing a long document: you’ll scroll less and stay focused on content.
  • Show white space before final formatting: it’s easier to check headers/footers, margins, and page layout.
  • If the double-click method is hard to trigger, try zooming to 90%–120% and hover exactly at the page boundary line.
  • Don’t confuse this with “Show/Hide formatting marks” (¶). That’s a different feature (spaces/tabs/paragraph marks), not page white space.

Bonus: Word for the web (quick note)

If you’re editing in Word for the web, the UI is different. Many users remove page gaps by toggling a view option like Separate Pages, which can make the document look like one continuous page.

Troubleshooting — Quick Fixes

1) Double-click does nothing

  • Confirm you’re in Print Layout view.
  • Use File > Options > Display and toggle Show white space between pages in Print Layout view.
  • Close Word completely and reopen it if the change doesn’t apply.

2) I only want to change it for one document

  • Word’s built-in methods can feel “global” depending on your setup.
  • If you need a clear per-document switch, use Kutools for Word’s Show White Space in the Current Document / Hide White Space in the Current Document.

3) I still see a line between pages

That thin separator line can remain visible even when white space is hidden. It’s normal—Word still needs to indicate page boundaries.

FAQ

Does hiding white space change my actual margins?

No. This is a view/display toggle. Your document margins and print layout settings remain the same.

Why did the gap disappear “by itself”?

This can happen after view changes, zoom changes, or switching documents/windows. It’s not unusual—just toggle it back using one of the methods above.

Which method should I use?

  • Occasional use: Word’s double-click toggle is fastest.
  • Frequent switching (especially per document): Kutools' Compact View makes the control obvious and consistent.