How to move pages in Google Docs

Device links

• Android
• Chromebook
• Mac
• windows
• Device missing?

As an alternative to MS Word and practically its successor, Google Docs will hopefully aim for versatility and experienced applicability. Although the web application provides a lot of ease, allows for global collaboration and has a lot of integration, it still lacks some features.

Microsoft Word allows the user to move pages within a single document using the Navigation Pane. This essential feature is incredibly useful. So can you do this in Google Docs? How can you move pages in this brilliant cloud web app?

It’s possible?

Okay, yes. Of course, you can move pages in Google Docs. But what about the ability of MS Word’s Navigation Pane? Does it also apply to Google Docs? Although this type of panel certainly exists in Google Docs, things are not exactly the same. The Google Docs panel does not allow the user to move pages using it.

Therefore, the only way to move pages in Google Docs is to do it manually. Yes, copying and pasting the content. Either that, or copy the content to MS Word (if you have it), rearrange the pages as you see fit, and paste the rearranged content back into Google Docs.

Of course, this can be very annoying at times, but until Google Docs adds this feature to its navigation panel, these are the only two ways to do it. You can ask Google Docs to introduce this feature by navigating to Help and then Report a problem. Tell them about the annoying lack of a page flipping feature. However, there are no guarantees that Google will respond.

How to Reorder Google Docs Pages on Desktop

Whether you own a Chromebook, Mac, or Windows PC, things work pretty much the same on all devices. This is due to the fact that Google Docs is a web-based application. In other words, you can use it by opening your preferred (or available) browser and going to Google Docs. The moment you enter the world of the web, things are universal for all desktop devices.

1. To get started, open your device’s browser and open a Google Docs document you are working on.
   
2. Moving pages is as simple and complicated as selecting the content of a page you want to move elsewhere and cutting it. The shortcut for Cut the function is Ctrl+Xbut you can also copy the content using Ctrl+Cand then delete it with the same effect.
3. Now, find the location where you want to include said page, press Get into to add a paragraph and leave space for the page.
   
4. Then, paste the content by right-clicking on the empty paragraph and selecting Paste in the dropdown menu. Alternatively, use the Ctrl + V shortcut.
   

Yes, the content you have copied will appear wherever you want. However, some formatting issues may arise. Therefore, make sure you have trimmed any extra empty paragraphs between the lines. If you don’t, all the content after the page you just moved might change strangely.

This method of moving pages may seem simple. And, in some cases, it is. However, if you have to change pages constantly, you will find it somewhat annoying.

Now, if you own MS Word on your desktop device, you may want to copy the content to the desktop app and go ahead and move pages on it. This helps you avoid all those annoying white spaces in paragraphs that can occur during extended page flipping sessions.

1. To do this, open the Google Docs file in question and select all the content. Use the Ctrl+A function to have everything selected.
   
2. Then, right click on the body of the content and select Copy in the dropdown menu or use the Ctrl+C function. You can also use Ctrl+X o Cut to automatically copy and delete the contents of the Google Docs file. After all, you will be replacing the content with the new and reorganized content of MS Word.
   
3. Now, head over to MS Word. Start a new document using the method you prefer. Then right click on the empty space and select Paste or press Ctrl + V.
   
4. Now, navigate to the View tab in MS Word and select it.
5. From the View tab, select the Navigation panel option.
6. Using the Navigation panel View on the left, click and move the different titles you have in the document. This will do exactly the same thing as the copy and paste method, but without all the empty paragraphs appearing.
   
7. Once you’re done moving things, use the Ctrl + A function to select the entire content and then copy it. Go back to the Google Docs file and paste the content there.

Your pages should now be reordered in your Google Document.

How to reorder Google Docs pages on Android/iOS devices

As you probably know, Google Docs is available on smartphones and tablets. Both iOS and Android devices have their dedicated Google Docs apps.

The best way to reorder pages on your Android/iOS device is to, well, not do it on a mobile device at all. Yes, it is doable, but it is much, much easier to access the Google Docs file via a desktop device and perform the methods mentioned above.

However, if for some reason you can’t or don’t want to use your desktop device, you can do it all in the mobile app.

Whether you have an iPhone/iPad or an Android smartphone or tablet, the principle remains the same. In fact, the principle is identical to the desktop device described above.

The only real difference here is the fact that you can’t use right click or Ctrl+C/V/x/TO method. To copy/paste/cut/select the entire contents of the Google Docs document, use the standard copy/paste method for your device. It’s usually a combination of tap/tap and hold/double tap. Then continue copying and pasting until you’ve rearranged the document to your preferences.

Keep in mind that long documents tend to become navigation nightmares in the mobile/tablet versions of Google Docs, so expect a margin of error and a dose of uncertainty. If formatting the document can wait until you get your hands on a PC/Mac/Chromebook, you can access the document using one of those desktop platforms. Then follow the page moving method described above.

How to reorder Google Docs pages by converting them to PDF

An incredibly easy way to reorder your pages is to convert them to PDF on your computer.

1. Click on the Print icon at the top or type Ctrl + P.
2. Now click on the Destination drop down menu select Save as pdf and then click Save.
3. Now, open the PDF version on your computer and use the left panel to drag your pages in the order you would like them to be.
4. Once done, save it and upload it again to Google Docs.

Although this converts your document to a new format, it is a much easier way to move and reorder pages.

Additional FAQs

How do you move images in Google Docs?

Sometimes Google Docs files can include multiple image files. Of course, images, like the body of written content, can be moved. In reality, the entire process is practically identical to the process of copying/pasting textual content.

1. Select the image in question, use the copy/cut/paste commands and rearrange things however you want.

2. You can also click on the image and use the cursor to move it.

Still, you won’t be able to do it through a function like Navigation panel.

How do you separate pages in Google Docs?

Separating pages in Google Docs is a great way to make it easier for you to move pages. You can have a clearer idea of ​​what content is where and where you can move it. Plus, if you separate the pages, you won’t have to worry as much about those missing paragraph spaces.

To separate pages in Google Docs, you need to add page breaks.

1. To do so, place your cursor where you want to insert it and navigate to the Insert tab in the top menu.

2. Then, hover over Break entry in the drop-down menu and click page break. A shortcut for this is Ctrl + Enter.

3. To remove a page break, simply use the Recoil Button: Page breaks are removed like any other text/symbol fragment.

Why is there no space between pages in Google Docs?

Google Docs will separate the pages, just like MS Word would. When the document is printed, each page will have a corresponding physical paper page. However, there is a mode that removes the space between pages for non-printing purposes. Whether you really want to print your document or enjoy having separate pages while working on a Google Docs file, you can add spacing between pages very simply.

1. Navigate to View in the top menu and select Show print design. This should put a check mark next to the entry and separate the pages for you.

Conclusion

Yes, having an easily accessible page moving option in Google Docs would be very convenient and useful. However, until the feature is introduced, you will have to work around it and use one of the methods mentioned above. Keep in mind that moving pages in Google Docs is always easier if each one has a page break and if you do it from your computer. This way you get access to MS Word (if you own it), which can help you move those pages.

Have you managed to move those pages successfully? If you have any questions, feel free to contact us in the comments section below. Our community will be more than happy to provide you with all the answers you may need.