The fastest way to add a page break

To start a new page in Google Docs, press Ctrl+Enter on Windows or Cmd+Enter on Mac. This inserts a page break and moves your cursor to the top of the new page. The blank space you see between pages in the editor is just how Google Docs displays the break — when you print or download the document, the pages will be separate.

If you're working on a document that's already several pages long, you'll notice the page break appears as a faint line in the editor. You can click on that line to select it, then delete it if you change your mind about where the break should be.

This method works the same way whether you're on a computer or using Google Docs in a web browser. Mobile apps (on phone or tablet) use a different process, which is covered in the sections below.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Cmd+Enter (Mac) to insert a page break and move to a new page instantly.
  • You can also use the Insert menu to add a page break if you prefer not to use the keyboard shortcut.
  • Page breaks appear as faint lines in the editor but create actual separate pages when you print or download.
  • On mobile devices, tap the plus icon in the toolbar and select "Page break" from the menu.
  • Deleting a page break removes the break itself — it does not delete the text on either side.

Using the Insert menu instead of a keyboard shortcut

If you don't remember the keyboard shortcut or prefer using menus, you can add a page break through Google Docs' Insert menu. Click Insert in the top menu bar, then scroll down to find Page break and click it. Your cursor will move to the start of a new page.

This route takes a few more clicks than the keyboard shortcut, but it's useful if you're already navigating menus for other reasons — for example, if you're inserting an image or table on the same page and want to add a break right after. The menu approach also makes it easier to remember what you're doing if you don't use Google Docs regularly.

Adding a page break on mobile devices

On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, the process is slightly different because mobile keyboards don't have the same shortcut keys. Open your document, position your cursor where you want the new page to start, then tap the plus icon (+) in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

A menu will appear with several options. Look for and tap Page break. Google Docs will insert the break and move your text to the new page. The mobile editor shows pages in a continuous scroll rather than as separate boxes, so the break may be less obvious visually, but it will create a real page break when you print or download.

What happens when you delete a page break

If you decide you don't want a page break where you put one, click or tap on the faint line that marks the break, then press Delete or Backspace. The break disappears, and the text from both sides flows back together. Deleting a page break does not delete any of your actual writing — it only removes the forced break between pages.

This is different from deleting text. If you accidentally delete a page break and want it back, you can press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the deletion immediately. On mobile, use the undo arrow in the toolbar.

Why your text might not move to a new page even after adding a break

Sometimes you'll insert a page break but notice the text below it doesn't actually appear on a new page — it stays on the same page as the content above. This usually happens when there's not enough text to fill the space. Google Docs doesn't force blank pages; it only creates a new page when there's content that needs to go there.

If you want to see the page break take effect, add more text below it, or switch to print preview mode. Click File, then Print (or press Ctrl+P / Cmd+P), and you'll see how the document actually looks when printed. The page break will be visible there even if the editor doesn't show a blank page.

The difference between page breaks and section breaks

A page break simply starts a new page and carries all your formatting forward. A section break (found in the same Insert menu) lets you change formatting — like margins, headers, or page numbering — starting from that point. For most everyday documents, a page break is what you need.

Section breaks are useful if you want one part of your document to have different headers than another part, or if you want page numbering to restart. For a simple document where you just want to move to a new page, stick with the page break option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add multiple page breaks at once?

Yes. Position your cursor where you want the first break, insert it, then move to where you want the next break and insert another. You can add as many as you need. There's no limit to the number of page breaks in a single document.

Does a page break affect how the document looks when shared with others?

No. When someone else opens your document, they'll see the same page breaks you created. If they download or print it, the breaks will be in the same place. The page break is part of the document itself, not just how it appears on your screen.

What if I want to start a new page but keep the same paragraph together?

Insert the page break before the paragraph you want to move. If you want to keep a paragraph from breaking across two pages, select it, then go to Format > Paragraph > Spacing and check the box for "Keep with next paragraph" or "Keep lines together."

Can I see where all my page breaks are in a long document?

Yes. Go to View and turn on Show non-printing characters. Page breaks will appear as a line with the words "Page break" next to it. This makes it easy to find and edit them if you need to move or delete one.