Messing around with the layout of a single page in Word can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope, especially if you’ve got a long document and don’t want to mess up everything else. Maybe you want one page to be in landscape while the rest stays portrait, or you’re trying to tweak margins only on one part. Whatever the reason, this isn’t exactly straightforward unless you know the secret sauce: section breaks. They’re a bit finicky, and if you place them wrong or forget to remove them later, things get messy fast. But once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty handy. The goal here is to isolate that one page with section breaks so you can format it independently without ruining the flow of the rest of your doc.
How to Change the Layout of a Single Page in Word
Place your cursor at the start of the page you want to modify
This is the point where you insert that first section break. If you’re trying to change it to landscape, for example, you want to segment that page out first. On some setups, this step is crucial — if you don’t, the landscape orientation might shift the whole document instead of just that one page. So, position your cursor right at the beginning of the page you’re targeting. And if you’re working in a long document, double-check that it’s exactly where you want it. Tip: switch to Print Layout view if you’re not already there, it makes the breaks way more visible.
Insert a section break before the page
- Go to the Layout tab in Word’s ribbon.
- Click on Breaks.
- Under Section Breaks, choose Next Page. This will insert a section break that starts on the current page.
Think of it like marking the start of your special page. It’s kinda weird, but this step is essential. If you skip it, your formatting changes might bleed into other pages.
Place your cursor at the end of that page
Scroll down (or use arrow keys) to the end of your targeted page and put your cursor there. This will set the boundary for your custom formatting. Again, switching views helps — Print Layout is usually best for this.
Insert another section break at the end of the page
- Repeat the process: go to Layout > Breaks > Next Page.
This second section break marks the end of your targeted page, separating it from the subsequent content. Now, only this section is set for custom formatting.
Change layout settings for the isolated page
Click anywhere on the page you want to tweak. Now, go to Layout > Orientation (or margins, size, columns, whatever).Your changes will only affect this section, not the rest of the document. On some systems, you might need to check the Apply to dropdown and ensure it says This section. Because of course, Word has to make it harder than it needs to be.
Once done, your single page will sport the new layout, and the rest should stay the same. If it didn’t work immediately, a quick save and reopen sometimes helps — or toggling back and forth between views.
Tips for Making It Work Smoothly
- Double-check your breaks: misplaced section breaks are the usual culprit for layout chaos.
- Switch views: Draft and Print Layout modes help spot breaks and layout bumps.
- Save often: better safe than sorry — Word can be flaky with these kinds of edits.
- Practice on a copy: if unsure, try it out on a spare copy before ruining your main doc.
- Explore layout options: don’t be afraid to experiment — margins, columns, or page size can all be tweaked here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove a section break in Word?
Navigate to the break — it’s usually a dotted line labeled “Section Break (Next Page), ” etc. Place your cursor just before it and hit Delete. If it stubbornly stays, you might need to delete the paragraph mark (§) that’s hiding behind it.
Can I change the orientation of just one page in Word?
Yep. Like I said, snag it with section breaks first, then go to Layout > Orientation and pick Landscape. Make sure you apply it to This section.
Will changing layout mess up headers and footers?
Not necessarily — but you gotta unlink headers/footers between sections. To do this, double-click on the header/footer, then click Link to Previous to toggle it off for that section. That way, your special formatting stays isolated.
How do I verify that section breaks are correctly placed?
Switch to Draft view via View tab and look for the Section Breaks — they appear as dotted lines with labels. Alternatively, toggle back to Print Layout for a visual check.
Can I apply other formatting changes with this method?
Absolutely. Besides orientation, you can set custom margins, columns, and even page size — all on a per-section basis. It’s surprisingly flexible once you get used to the layout of section breaks.
Summary
- Set your cursor at the start of the page.
- Insert a section break (Next Page).
- Set cursor at end of the page.
- Insert another section break (Next Page).
- Change layout options for the selected section.
Wrap-up
Getting a single page to have a different layout in Word isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s not totally intuitive either. Section breaks are your best friends for this. They let you divide your document into chunks that you can format independently. Sure, they can trip you up if placed incorrectly or left hanging, but once you get comfortable, it’s a solid way to make your document look exactly how you want. Just remember to double-check where your breaks are, and save often. Hope this helps—at least it worked on my main setup, so fingers crossed it does the same for yours.