If a heading is stranded at the bottom of a Google Docs page, use Keep with next. This paragraph rule keeps the heading attached to the following paragraph without forcing every heading to start a new page.
Attach the heading to its text
- Use a document in Pages format on a computer.
- Click inside the heading paragraph.
- Open Format > Line & paragraph spacing.
- Select Keep with next.
If there is insufficient room for the heading and the next paragraph, the layout can move them forward together. Some whitespace at the preceding page’s bottom may therefore be the intended result, not a formatting failure.
Avoid an accidental chain of paragraphs
Apply this rule narrowly. If every paragraph is kept with its next neighbor, a long chain can move unexpectedly and make page layout harder to understand. Body paragraphs usually do not all need the same attachment rule as headings.
For a chapter that must begin a fresh page regardless of available space, use Add page break before instead or in addition. Keeping with the next paragraph and starting a new page are separate requirements.
Test the actual boundary
Inspect the heading near a page ending and verify that the opening paragraph follows it. Also look at the next heading so you can catch an overly broad selection. Check print preview after substantial surrounding edits.
This option is unavailable in Pageless because there are no paper-page boundaries to enforce. Do not switch a collaborative screen document to Pages merely to remove a visual gap that has another cause. First identify whether the intended output actually requires controlled pagination and whether the paragraph structure is correct.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.