How do I delete empty header and footer space from my documents?

[Simpson McCarry]

How do I delete empty header and footer space from my documents and get their
space allocation back at the default setting? I've tried the recommended
strategies: eliminating paragraph marks, attempting but not succeeding at
adjusting the vertical margins/ruler. I did the Detect and Repair thing. I
still cannot get rid of the space (and there's a lot of it). Please help.
Thank you.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

In Word 2002 and 2003, once you have ever touched the header or footer there
will be an empty paragraph there that you can't delete. The only recourse is
to change the header and footer margins to 0" (on the Layout tab of Page
Setup). If you're seeing an inordinate amount of header space, make sure the
vertical alignment of the document is set to Top and not Center (Layout tab
of Page Setup).

 

[CyberTaz]

It really isn't clear (to me) what you are describing, nor do you indicate
what version of Word, but best guess 'til something better comes along (if
Word 2003) is take a look @ File>Page SetUp>Layout to make sure that your
Header margin isn't set to something more than .5" - If this is a problem
occurring in *new* documents as well, click the Default button to update
Normal.dot before you OK out.

Should I have misunderstood, please post back with additional descriptive
detail.

 

[Simpson McCarry]

Thank you for your prompt and clear reply to my query. Your instructions
worked on the document I was working on, but the next one I called up did not
retain the changes. Please advise. Thank you.

 

[Simpson McCarry]

Thanks for pointing out the use of the Default button. I think the problem is
now resolved thanks to Barnhill (see email) and you. My apologies for lack of
specificity in my query.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Note that changing the header and footer margins to 0" in Normal.dot is
really not a good idea. If you don't have anything else you need to keep in
Normal.dot, you'd do better to rename it and let Word build a fresh one (see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/BlankDocNotBlank.htm). Be careful not to
touch the header or footer in Normal.dot, only in documents, and you should
be okay.

 

[Simpson McCarry]

Thank you. I think I've now got the desired settings in place.