How to Insert a Section Break for Different Page Layouts in Word

You need a single Word document to switch from portrait to landscape orientation, or to change margins partway through. By default, Word applies one page layout to the entire document. Section breaks let you split your file into independent segments, each with its own page setup.

This article explains what section breaks are and how they affect page layout. You will learn the exact steps to insert each type of section break. The guide also covers common mistakes and shows you how to verify your layout changes work correctly.

What Section Breaks Do and How They Control Page Layout

A section break is a formatting marker that divides your document into independent sections. Each section can have its own page orientation, margins, paper size, headers and footers, and column layout. Without section breaks, changing the orientation of one page changes every page in the document.

Word provides four types of section breaks. The two you will use most often for page layout changes are Next Page and Continuous.

Next Page Section Break

This break starts the new section at the top of the next page. Use it when you want a new chapter to begin on a fresh page, or when you need to switch orientation or margins for a block of content that should start on a new page.

Continuous Section Break

This break starts the new section on the same page. Use it to create multi-column layouts next to single-column text, or to change margins mid-page. Continuous breaks do not force a page break.

Even Page and Odd Page Section Breaks

These breaks start the new section on the next even-numbered or odd-numbered page. They are primarily used for book-style formatting where chapters start on a right-hand page.

Steps to Insert a Section Break and Change Page Layout

The following steps assume you want to change the page orientation of a specific section from portrait to landscape. The same method works for margins, paper size, and columns.

1. Place the cursor where the new layout should begin
   Click at the start of the line or paragraph that will be the first content in the new section. For orientation changes, place the cursor just before the text that should appear in landscape mode.
2. Open the Breaks menu
   Go to the Layout tab on the ribbon. In the Page Setup group, click Breaks. A dropdown menu opens.
3. Choose the correct section break type
   Under Section Breaks, click Next Page. Word inserts a section break and moves the cursor to the new section on the next page.
4. Change the layout for the new section
   With the cursor still in the new section, go to the Layout tab. Click Orientation and select Landscape. Only the pages in this section change to landscape. All previous sections remain in portrait.
5. Return to the original layout for the rest of the document
   Place the cursor at the point where you want portrait orientation to resume. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to insert another Next Page section break. With the cursor in the new section, set orientation back to Portrait.

Changing Margins for One Section Only

Follow the same procedure. Insert a Next Page section break where the margin change should start. Click anywhere in the new section. Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins. Set your new margins and click OK. Only the current section adopts the new margins.

Changing Paper Size for One Section

Insert a Next Page section break. Click in the new section. Go to Layout > Size and pick a different paper size. Alternatively, click More Paper Sizes to enter a custom size. The change applies only to that section.

Common Mistakes When Using Section Breaks for Page Layout

The layout change affects the whole document instead of one section

This happens when you change the layout setting without first placing the cursor inside the correct section. Always click in the section you want to modify before changing orientation, margins, or size. If the Apply to dropdown appears in a dialog, set it to This section.

Headers and footers repeat the previous section

By default, headers and footers in a new section are linked to the previous section. If you change orientation and want different headers, double-click the header area in the new section. On the Header & Footer tab, click Link to Previous to turn it off. Then edit the header or footer independently.

The section break deletes or shifts content unexpectedly

Inserting a section break at the wrong location can push content to a new page. Always insert the break at the beginning of a paragraph, not in the middle of a line. To see where breaks are located, enable Show/Hide on the Home tab. Section breaks appear as double dotted lines with the label “Section Break.”

Section Break Types: Next Page vs Continuous for Layout Changes

Item	Next Page	Continuous
Page break behavior	Forces a new page	Stays on the same page
Best use case	Changing orientation, margins, or paper size for a block of text	Switching column layout mid-page or changing margins without a page break
Headers and footers	Can be unlinked per section	Can be unlinked per section
Document complexity	Low, easy to manage	Higher, may cause layout shifts on screen

Use Next Page breaks for most layout changes. Use Continuous breaks only when you need two different layouts on the same physical page, such as a single-column introduction followed by a two-column list.

You can now insert section breaks and apply different page layouts in one Word document. Start by inserting a Next Page break at the point where the layout should change. Then adjust orientation, margins, or paper size for that section only. To verify your work, switch to Print Layout view and scroll through the document to confirm each section displays correctly. For advanced control, turn off Link to Previous in headers and footers to keep each section fully independent.