WD2000: General Information About Section Breaks

• Microsoft Word 2000

SUMMARY

This article describes the types of section breaks available in Word and their uses.

MORE INFORMATION

When you start a document, there are no section breaks because the entire document consists of one section. A section break is the point at which you end one section and begin another because you want some aspect of page formatting to change.

You can divide a document into any number of sections and format each section the way you want. Throughout this article, keep in mind that a section break acts as an embedded code that stores or maintains the properties of the section above it.

For tips about using section breaks, refer to the "Section Break Tips" section of this article.

Section/Page properties include the following settings:

Page Orientation (Portrait/Landscape)
Margins
Columns
Line Numbering
Vertical Alignment
Headers & Footers
Page Numbering
Paper Size
Paper Source

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the View tab.



2. Under Nonprinting Characters, select the All check box.



3. Click OK.

Using Section Breaks

   Type           Characteristics
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Next Page      Word breaks the page at the section break. The new
                  section starts on the next page.
                  Use this section break if you want to apply different
                  page numbers, headers and footers, orientation,
                  vertical alignment, or paper size to the sections in
                  the document.

   Continuous     Word inserts a section break and begins the new section
                  on the same page. If the two sections have different
                  settings for page size or orientation, the new section
                  begins a new page even if you select Continuous.
                  Use this section break if you want to have different
                  column formatting or margins on the same page. If there
                  are multiple columns in the previous section, Word
                  balances the columns above the section break and then
                  fills out the page with the new section.

   Odd Page       Word begins the new section on the next odd-numbered
                  page. This section break is often used for chapters that
                  begin on odd-numbered pages.

                  NOTE: If the section break falls on an odd-numbered
                  page, Word leaves the intervening even-numbered page
                  blank.

   Even Page      Similar to Odd Page, but Word begins the new section on
                  the next even-numbered page. 

To Insert a Section Break

1. Click at the point where you want to start a new section.



2. On the Insert menu, click Break.



3. Under Section Breaks, select the option that describes the section break you want, as described above.



4. Click OK.

Determining the Type of Section Break

::::::::::::::::::::::Section Break (Odd Page):::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



::::::::::::::::::::::Section Break (Next Page)::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

1. Click above the section break for which you want to view the properties.



2. On the File menu, click Page Setup and then click the Layout tab.
   
   Section Start indicates the type of section break; for example, Odd Page. The settings for the section break are stored in the section break below where your insertion point is located or as shown on the screen.
   
   NOTE: A section break indicated on your screen as Next Page is defined as New Page on the Layout tab of the Properties dialog box.

To Delete a Section Break

Section Break Tips

• You can save a section break and the formatting it contains as an AutoText entry for future use.



• You can copy section formatting by copying the section break in normal view. When you paste a section break into a new location, the text above the section break takes on the formatting contained in the section break.
  
  When you copy a selection that contains a section break and paste it into a Word document, the text above the section break assumes the section level formatting of the pasted section break.
  
  This behavior also occurs if you copy the last paragraph mark and paste it into a document, because the last paragraph mark is an implied section break.
  
  For example, if you insert a continuous section break in a document, the section above the inserted section break is Continuous, and the section below is New Page.
  
  Similarly, when you delete a section break, the text that preceded the section break becomes part of the section that follows, and it assumes the formatting of that section. The following example, using a two-section document, illustrates this concept:

  Section 1 is formatted for three columns and contains no headers or footers. Section 2 is formatted for two columns and contains a footer. If you delete the section break between the two sections, Word formats the entire document for two columns and places a footer on each page.

  NOTES:
  
  Section level formatting includes headers and footers, columns, section start setting, line numbers, margins, paper size, paper source and orientation, and vertical alignment.
  
  When you select text to copy and paste, remember that you are copying section level formatting when you include a section break or the last paragraph mark in your selection. If you copy a selection that does not contain a section break or the last paragraph mark, section layout formatting is not affected when you paste the selection.



• You can change the type of section break without deleting the current section break by doing the following:
  
  
  1. Place the insertion point into the section that you want to change.
     
     NOTE: Remember to place your insertion point above the section break that you want to change.
  
  
  
  2. On the File menu, click Page Setup.
  
  
  
  3. Click the Layout tab.
  
  
  
  4. Under Section Start, select the type of section you want and then click OK.
  
  
  

Q238124 WD2000: Continuous Section Break Becomes Next-Page Break in Landscape

Additional query words: formatting page next

Keywords          : kbdta wd2000 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto 

Last Reviewed: July 27, 1999