Word page layout shortcuts let you set margins, switch orientation, insert breaks and change spacing without hunting through the ribbon. Most people only learn one or two. This guide covers all 27 on the free cheat sheet, and if you need the full walkthrough for page edges, see how to change margins in Word.
In this guide, you’ll learn which Word page layout shortcuts control page setup and breaks, how to apply indents and line spacing in one press, how to switch views quickly and how ribbon KeyTip sequences work. Everything here applies to Word for Windows in Microsoft 365, Word 2021, 2019 and 2016.
Download the Free PDF Cheat Sheet
All the Word page layout shortcuts in this guide fit on a free one-page A4 printable PDF with clickable links. Print it and keep it beside your keyboard, or open it on a second screen.
What This Page Layout Cheat Sheet Covers
Page layout is everything that shapes the page rather than the words: margins, paper size, orientation, columns, breaks, indents, line spacing and the view you work in. These Word page layout shortcuts are grouped by task, so you can learn one group at a time.
The sheet is most useful when you need to:
- Set up a new document — margins, paper size and orientation — before you start typing.
- Start a new page or section exactly where you want it, instead of pressing Enter repeatedly.
- Format references, bibliographies and quotations with indents and spacing.
- Check the printed result in Print Layout, then switch to Draft or Read Mode for writing and reviewing.
How KeyTip Sequences Work
Two kinds of shortcut appear among the Word page layout shortcuts below. Keys joined with a plus sign are held down together: Ctrl + Enter means hold Ctrl and tap Enter. Keys separated by commas are ribbon KeyTips: press each key in turn, releasing it before the next.
For example, Alt, P, M means tap Alt, then P to open the Layout tab, then M to open Margins. Tap Alt on its own and Word shows a small letter badge on every tab. Short. Visible. Easy to check.
👉 If you press the wrong letter, tap Esc to step back one level and try again.
Margins and Orientation Shortcuts
These Word page layout shortcuts all run through the Layout tab, so every one begins with Alt, P. Use them before you write, because changing margins or paper size late can reflow every page.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Page Setup dialog | Alt, P, S, P |
| Set margins | Alt, P, M |
| Open the Orientation menu (choose Portrait or Landscape with the arrow keys, then press Enter) | Alt, P, O |
| Set paper size | Alt, P, S, Z |
| Set number of columns | Alt, P, J |
👉 Alt, P, S, P opens the full Page Setup dialog, where you can type exact margin values and apply them to the whole document or just one section.
Page Break and Section Break Shortcuts
A manual break is cleaner than a stack of empty paragraphs, which is why these are the Word page layout shortcuts people use most. Ctrl + Enter starts a new page instantly, and a section break lets the next part of the document use different margins, orientation or headers. To clear unwanted breaks later, see how to remove a page break in Word.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Insert page break | Ctrl + Enter |
| Insert column break | Ctrl + Shift + Enter |
| Insert section break (next page) | Alt, P, B, N |
| Insert section break (continuous) | Alt, P, B, O |
| Delete a manual page break (cursor just before the break) | Delete |
| Show/hide paragraph marks | Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
| Non-breaking space | Ctrl + Shift + Space |
| Non-breaking hyphen | Alt + Shift + - |
👉 Turn on paragraph marks with Ctrl + Shift + 8 first. Breaks become visible, so you can see exactly what you are deleting.
Indent and Line Spacing Shortcuts
Indents and line spacing are paragraph settings, and these Word page layout shortcuts act on the current paragraph. Click anywhere in the paragraph — or select several — before pressing the keys. Ctrl + T is the fastest way to create a hanging indent in Word for a reference list.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Increase indent | Ctrl + M |
| Decrease indent | Ctrl + Shift + M |
| Hanging indent | Ctrl + T |
| Remove hanging indent | Ctrl + Shift + T |
| Single line spacing | Ctrl + 1 |
| 1.5 line spacing | Ctrl + 5 |
| Double line spacing | Ctrl + 2 |
👉 Each press of Ctrl + M moves the paragraph one tab stop further in. Press it twice for a deeper indent.
View and Zoom Shortcuts
Print Layout shows the real page with margins, headers and footers. Draft hides them so you can focus on text. Switching between the two is one of the most practical Word page layout shortcuts to learn.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Print Layout view | Alt + Ctrl + P |
| Draft view | Alt + Ctrl + N |
| Zoom dialog | Alt, W, Q |
| Read Mode | Alt, W, F |
Useful Ribbon Tab Shortcuts
When a command is not among these Word page layout shortcuts, open its tab from the keyboard and follow the KeyTip badges. The Design tab holds themes, page colour, watermarks and page borders.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Design tab | Alt, G |
| Open Layout tab | Alt, P |
| Open View tab | Alt, W |
👉 After opening a tab, Word shows the next letters on screen. You do not need to memorise every sequence.
Pro Tips for Word Page Layout Shortcuts
- Set margins, paper size and orientation first. Changing them at the end can move page breaks and images.
- Use Alt, P, B, N rather than a page break when the next part needs a different orientation or margin — section breaks keep those settings separate.
- Use Ctrl + Shift + Space between a number and its unit, such as 10 kg, so the pair never splits across two lines.
- Apply the same spacing to a whole document: press Ctrl + A first, then Ctrl + 5 for 1.5 spacing — for more options, see how to change line spacing in Word.
- Some graphics-card overlays, such as AMD Adrenalin, intercept Ctrl + Shift shortcuts. If one does nothing, check the overlay’s hotkey settings.
- Microsoft keeps the complete list in its official guide to keyboard shortcuts in Word.
FAQs
What are Word page layout shortcuts?
Word page layout shortcuts are keyboard commands for margins, orientation, paper size, breaks, indents, line spacing and views. This guide lists 27 of them, grouped by task, with a free printable PDF.
How do I change page orientation with the keyboard in Word?
Press Alt, P, O to open the Orientation menu, use the arrow keys to choose Portrait or Landscape, then press Enter. To turn just one page sideways, see how to rotate one page in Word.
What is the keyboard shortcut for a page break in Word?
Press Ctrl + Enter to insert a page break at the cursor. For a column break inside a multi-column layout, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
What is the difference between a page break and a section break?
A page break only moves text to a new page. A section break, such as Alt, P, B, N, also lets the next section use its own margins, orientation, headers and page numbering.
How do I see page breaks and section breaks in Word?
Press Ctrl + Shift + 8 to show paragraph marks and formatting symbols. Page breaks and section breaks then appear as labelled dotted lines.
What is the shortcut for double line spacing in Word?
Select the paragraphs and press Ctrl + 2 for double spacing. It is one of the quickest Word page layout shortcuts to remember. Use Ctrl + 1 for single spacing and Ctrl + 5 for 1.5 spacing.
Do these shortcuts work in Word for Mac?
No. These Word page layout shortcuts are for Word for Windows. Word for Mac uses Command-based shortcuts and has no Alt KeyTip sequences for the ribbon.
Why does a Ctrl + Shift shortcut do nothing on my PC?
Another program may have claimed the same keys. Graphics-card overlays such as AMD Adrenalin are a common cause, so check their hotkey settings and turn off the clash.
Conclusion
Word page layout shortcuts turn page setup from a hunt through menus into a few key presses. Start with Ctrl + Enter, Ctrl + 2 and Alt, P, M. Add a new group each week.
Print the PDF of Word page layout shortcuts, pin it beside your screen and use it until the keys feel automatic. Then expand your set with the full Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet.
Related Tutorials
- How to Change Page Size in Word: 3 Easy Methods
- How to Add Columns in Word: 3 Easy Methods
- How to Insert Page Numbers in Word: 4 Easy Steps (Quick Guide)
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Browse the complete collection for help with formatting, layout, pages, tables, images, and document setup.
For Microsoft support documentation, visit the official Microsoft guidance.
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