To create a section in Word, click where you want the new section to start, then select Layout > Breaks and choose a section break: Next Page starts the section on a new page, and Continuous starts it on the same page. Each section can then have its own margins, page orientation, columns, headers and footers, and page numbering, without affecting the rest of the document.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac. Word for the web can show section breaks but has fewer layout options. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
When you need a section
Everything in a Word document belongs to a section, and a new document has just one. You only need more when part of the document needs a different page layout, for example:
- A landscape page for a wide table in an otherwise portrait report.
- A title page and table of contents without page numbers, followed by numbered pages starting at 1.
- Different headers for each chapter.
- Two columns for part of a page, like a newsletter, with the rest in one column.
If you only want to start text on a new page, use a page break (Ctrl + Enter) instead. If you want to organize a long document into parts you can jump between, use heading styles and the Navigation pane (View > Navigation Pane).
Step 1: Insert a section break
- Click where you want the new section to begin, usually at the start of a line.
- Select the Layout tab.
- Select Breaks in the Page Setup group.
- Under Section Breaks, choose a type:
- Next Page: starts the new section on the next page. Use it for chapters and orientation changes.
- Continuous: starts the new section on the same page. Use it to change columns partway down a page.
- Even Page or Odd Page: starts the new section on the next even- or odd-numbered page, adding a blank page if needed. Use it for documents printed as books, where chapters start on a right-hand page.
To see the break, select Home > Show/Hide (¶). It appears as a double dotted line labeled with its type.
Step 2: See which section you’re in
Right-click the status bar at the bottom of the Word window and select Section. The status bar then shows the section number wherever your cursor is, which makes the next steps much easier.
Step 3: Change the layout of one section
Click anywhere in the section you want to change. Changes on the Layout tab now apply only to that section:
- Orientation: select Orientation > Landscape to turn just that section sideways.
- Margins: select Margins and pick a preset, or Custom Margins with Apply to set to This section.
- Columns: select Columns and choose how many.
- Vertical alignment: open the Page Setup dialog, select the Layout tab and set Vertical alignment to Center. This is useful for a title page.
Shortcut for one landscape page: select the content you want on that page, select Layout > Margins > Custom Margins, choose Landscape, and set Apply to to Selected text. Word adds the section breaks before and after for you. Columns work the same way: choose More Columns and Apply to Selected text or This point forward.
New sections copy the header and footer from the section before, and stay linked to it.
- Double-click the header in the new section. The label shows Header -Section 2-, for example.
- On the Header & Footer tab, select Link to Previous to turn it off. The Same as Previous label disappears.
- Change the header. The previous section keeps its own.
- Repeat in the footer if you need a different footer too, because headers and footers are linked separately.
Step 5: Restart page numbering in a section
- Double-click the header or footer in the section where numbering should start again.
- Select Page Number > Format Page Numbers.
- Under Page numbering, choose Start at and type 1. You can also pick a different format here, such as i, ii, iii for the front matter.
- Select OK.
To remove the number from the first section entirely, turn off Link to Previous in the second section first, then delete the number in the first. For more on this, see how to remove the page number from the first page in Word.
Change or remove a section break
- Change the type: click in the section after the break, open the Page Setup dialog, select the Layout tab and change Section start, for example from New page to Continuous.
- Remove it: show formatting marks, click just before the break and press Delete. The text before it then takes the formatting of the section after it. See how to get rid of a section break in Word for ways to keep your layout.
Troubleshooting
Changing the header changes it in every section
Link to Previous is still on. Turn it off in each section that needs a different header, and in its footer if needed.
The whole document turned landscape
The cursor wasn’t in the right section, or Apply to was set to Whole document. Press Ctrl + Z, check the section number in the status bar, and try again.
A blank page appeared
An Odd Page or Even Page break adds a blank page when needed. Change it to Next Page if you don’t print double-sided.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a page break and a section break?
A page break only moves text to the next page. A section break can also change the layout, headers and numbering after it.
How many sections can a Word document have?
There’s no practical limit. Long reports and books often have one section per chapter.
Can I create sections in Word on a Mac?
Yes. The steps are the same: Layout > Breaks. Page Setup options are under Format > Document.
Related: How to add a table of contents in Word.
Related: How to repeat a header and footer in Word.
Related: How to make different headers in Word.
Related: How to restart page numbering in Word.
Related: How to start page numbers on page 3 in Word.
Related: How to insert a Word document into another Word document.
Related: how to view multiple pages in Word.
Related: how to stop page numbering in Word.
Related: how to use the Navigation Pane in Word.
Related: format a 6×9 book in Word.
Related: print a book in Word.
Related: set Narrow margins in Word.
Related: How to Change Vertical Alignment in Word.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.