Document Production – Page, Section and Column Breaks
Learning Objective
Know and understand the purpose of setting page, section and column breaks in a word‑processing document.
1. What is a Page Break?
A page break forces the text that follows to start at the top of the next page, regardless of how much space remains on the current page.
Creates a clear division between chapters, sections or topics.
Ensures that headings, tables or images are not split awkwardly across pages.
Useful for printing, where each new logical unit should begin on a fresh page.
2. What is a Section Break?
A section break divides a document into separate sections that can have independent formatting.
Allows different headers and footers for each section.
Enables varying page orientation (portrait vs. landscape) within the same document.
Permits distinct column layouts, margins, line spacing, or page numbering styles.
Common types (in most word processors):
Next Page – starts the new section on the next page.
Continuous – starts the new section on the same page, useful for changing column layout.
Even/Odd Page – forces the new section to begin on the next even or odd‑numbered page.
3. What is a Column Break?
A column break ends the current column and moves the cursor to the top of the next column.
Used in multi‑column layouts such as newsletters, brochures, or magazine articles.
Prevents a paragraph from being split between columns.
Works only when the document or a section is set to have more than one column.
4. When to Use Each Break
Page Break – at the start of a new chapter, after a title page, before a bibliography, or whenever a logical unit should begin on a fresh page.
Section Break – when you need different formatting within the same document, such as:
Switching from portrait to landscape for a wide table.
Changing header/footer content for different parts of a report.
Applying a different column layout to a specific portion of text.
Column Break – in a multi‑column section when you want to start a new paragraph at the top of the next column, or to keep a heading with its related text in the same column.
5. How to Insert Breaks (General Steps)
Although the exact menu names may vary, the typical process is:
Place the cursor where the break should occur.
Open the Insert or Layout menu.
Select Break and choose Page Break, Section Break (specify type), or Column Break.
Verify the break by viewing the document in Print Layout or Draft view.
6. Summary Comparison
Break Type
Effect on Document
Typical Uses
Formatting Changes Allowed
Page Break
Starts new page; previous page ends where break is placed.
New chapter, title page, bibliography, separate reports.
None (affects only pagination).
Section Break
Divides document into sections with independent formatting.
Different headers/footers, orientation change, column layout change.