Word Table Splits Across Pages: How to Keep Together

When you insert a table in Word, the table often breaks across two pages, leaving rows split in the middle. This happens because Word’s default page-breaking behavior allows tables to break at row boundaries, and long rows may be split across a page break. The result is a table that looks untidy and hard to read, especially in printed documents or PDFs. This article explains why Word splits tables across pages and provides step-by-step methods to keep the entire table together on one page.

Why Word Splits Tables Across Pages

Word tables split across pages because of the default row-breaking behavior built into the program. By default, Word allows rows to break across pages, meaning that if a row contains enough content to span more than one page, Word will split that row at the page break. This behavior is controlled by a setting in the Table Properties dialog called “Allow row to break across pages.” When this option is checked, Word treats each row as a breakable unit.

Another reason tables split is that Word’s page-breaking algorithm treats the table as a series of rows rather than a single object. Even if you uncheck the row-breaking option, a table that is too tall to fit on one page will still break between rows. The only way to keep the entire table together is to ensure the table fits within the page margins, or to force Word to keep the table on one page using paragraph-level keep settings.

The default page size in Word is 8.5 by 11 inches (Letter) with 1-inch margins, giving a printable area of 6.5 by 9 inches. If your table’s total height exceeds 9 inches, Word must break it across pages. Understanding these limits helps you decide which method to use.

How to Stop a Word Table From Splitting Across Pages

The following methods apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. Each method targets a different cause of table splitting.

Method 1: Disable Row Breaking Inside the Table

This method stops individual rows from splitting. Use it when you want rows to stay intact but the table can still break between rows.

1. Select the entire table
   Click the table handle (the four-arrow icon) at the top-left corner of the table to select all rows.
2. Open Table Properties
   Right-click the selected table and choose Table Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, go to the Table Layout tab and click Properties.
3. Go to the Row tab
   In the Table Properties dialog, click the Row tab.
4. Uncheck Allow row to break across pages
   Clear the check box labeled Allow row to break across pages. Click OK.

After this change, no row will split across a page break. If the table is too tall for one page, Word will break the table at the boundary between rows, not inside a row.

Method 2: Keep the Table on One Page Using Keep With Next

This method forces the entire table to stay on one page by applying the Keep with next paragraph setting to the first row. Use this when the table is small enough to fit on one page but Word still breaks it.

1. Select the first row of the table
   Click in the first row of the table. Do not select the entire table.
2. Open the Paragraph dialog
   On the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Paragraph group. This opens the Paragraph dialog.
3. Go to the Line and Page Breaks tab
   In the Paragraph dialog, click the Line and Page Breaks tab.
4. Check Keep with next
   Under Pagination, check the box for Keep with next. Click OK.

The Keep with next setting prevents a page break between the first row and the second row. Because the setting cascades through the table, Word will keep all rows together on one page, provided the table fits within the page height.

Method 3: Set a Fixed Row Height

This method forces all rows to a specific height, making the table less likely to break. Use this only when the table content is predictable and the table fits on one page.

1. Select the entire table
   Click the table handle to select all rows.
2. Open Table Properties
   Right-click and choose Table Properties.
3. Go to the Row tab
   Click the Row tab.
4. Set an exact row height
   Check Specify height. In the height box, enter a value. In the drop-down next to it, choose Exactly. Click OK.

When you set an exact row height, Word cannot stretch the row beyond that height. If the content exceeds the row height, Word clips the text. Use this method only when you are certain the content fits.

Method 4: Insert a Section Break Before the Table

This method forces Word to keep the table on the same page by starting a new section. Use it when the table must appear on a specific page.

1. Place the cursor before the table
   Click at the beginning of the paragraph immediately before the table.
2. Insert a section break
   Go to the Layout tab. In the Page Setup group, click Breaks. Under Section Breaks, choose Next Page.
3. Set the section to keep lines together
   With the cursor still in the new section, open the Paragraph dialog (Home tab, Paragraph arrow). On the Line and Page Breaks tab, check Keep lines together. Click OK.

The section break forces the table to start on a new page. The Keep lines together setting prevents any row from splitting.

If the Table Still Splits After Applying the Fix

Sometimes the methods above do not work because of other document settings. The following issues are common.

The Table Is Too Tall to Fit on One Page

If your table has many rows or large amounts of text, it will exceed the page height regardless of settings. In that case, you cannot force the entire table onto one page. Reduce the font size, decrease row heights, or split the table into two smaller tables manually.

The Table Has Merged Cells

Merged cells can interfere with the Keep with next setting. If you have merged cells across multiple rows, Word may still split the table. Unmerge the cells and reapply the settings from Method 2.

The Document Has a Section Break With Different Page Orientation

If the table is in a section with landscape orientation, the page height is smaller. Switch the section back to portrait orientation or adjust the margins to give the table more room.

The Table Is Inside a Text Box or Frame

Tables placed inside text boxes cannot use the Keep with next setting. Move the table out of the text box and into the main document body.

Comparison of Methods to Keep a Word Table Together

Item	Disable Row Breaking	Keep With Next	Fixed Row Height
What it prevents	Rows splitting across pages	Entire table breaking across pages	Rows from growing taller than specified
Works when table is too tall	No	No	No
Affects merged cells	Yes	Partially	Yes
Ease of use	Simple	Moderate	Simple
Best use case	Tables with long rows	Small tables that fit one page	Tables with predictable content

Disable row breaking is the fastest fix for most tables. Keep with next is the most reliable method for keeping a table on one page. Fixed row height is a fallback when other methods fail but requires manual adjustment.

You can now stop Word tables from splitting across pages using one of four methods. Start with disabling row breaking for individual rows, then apply Keep with next to keep the entire table together. If the table is too tall, reduce the content or split the table manually. For a quick test, use Ctrl+Z after applying a method to undo and try another. Remember that no setting can fit a table that is physically larger than the page.