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How to Reorder and Arrange Pages in Google Docs Documents

Google Docs is a powerful online word processor that allows real-time collaboration between multiple users. One of its most useful features is the ability to create multi-page documents for reports, proposals, articles, and more. However, the process of reordering and arranging pages is not as intuitive as other word processors like Microsoft Word.

As an experienced Google Docs user, I will provide a step-by-step guide on the best practices to reorder, move, and arrange pages within your documents efficiently. Whether you are working on an article, report, proposal or any other multi-page document, these tips will help you organize your content better.

Why Reorder Pages in Google Docs

Here are some common scenarios when you may need to reorder pages in Google Docs:

  • Changing the sequence of chapters or sections
  • Moving the appendix before or after references
  • Adding a new page for updated content
  • Deleting unnecessary pages
  • Rearranging pages after collaborators have edited the document

Without the ability to quickly reorder pages, you’d have to copy and paste content page-by-page manually. This can be extremely tedious and time-consuming.

Fortunately, Google Docs makes it relatively simple once you know the right techniques.

How to Reorder Pages in Google Docs

There are a few different methods you can use to reorder pages in Google Docs. Here are the top 4 techniques:

1. Copy/Paste Pages in New Document

This method involves copying each page’s contents and pasting them into a new document in the order you want.

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open the Google Docs document you want to reorder pages in
  2. Create a new blank document
  3. Select and copy the entire contents of the page you want as page 1
  4. Paste the copied content into the new blank document
  5. Repeat steps 3-4 for each subsequent page, pasting the content in the order you want
  6. When done, rename the new document and delete the old one

While this method takes more steps, it gives you full control over the new page order.

2. Cut/Paste Within Same Document

You can also reorder pages without having to create an entirely new document. Just follow these steps:

  1. Open the Google Doc you want to edit
  2. Select and cut the entire contents of the page you want to move
  3. Scroll to the page before where you want the cut page to go
  4. Paste the cut page content at the top of that page
  5. Repeat steps 2-4 to continue reordering pages

This method is faster since everything happens within the original doc. However, pasting large sections of text can mess up your existing formatting.

3. Convert Document to PDF

If you want to reorder pages visually, convert the Google Doc to PDF:

  1. Open Google Doc and click “File” > “Download” > “PDF Document”
  2. Open the PDF file and use the page thumbnails sidebar to drag-and-drop pages to reorder them
  3. Save the PDF and convert it back to an editable Google Doc

While converting back and forth sounds tedious, this method gives you a graphical way to reorder pages easily.

4. Install Reorder Pages Add-On (Easiest Method)

The easiest way to reorder Google doc pages is by installing the “Reorder Pages” add-on.

Just follow these simple steps with the add-on installed:

  1. Open the Google Doc you want to edit
  2. Click “Add-ons” > “Reorder Pages” > “Reorder pages”
  3. Drag-and-drop page thumbnails into the order you want
  4. Click “Apply” and the new order saves automatically

This add-on gives the most flexibility and control when reordering pages in Google Docs.

Tips for Managing Multi-Page Google Docs

In addition to reordering pages, applying these best practices will help you manage lengthy Google Docs better:

  • Use page breaks: Insert page break characters (Ctrl + Enter) instead of multiple blank paragraphs to split text into pages cleanly. The page layout looks more professional.
  • Add a table of contents: Use the table of contents tool to generate an index that links to different sections and pages automatically. Readers can click section links to navigate quickly.
  • Apply consistent header/footer styling: Headers and footers should have uniform styling across all pages. Use page number placeholders to auto-populate page numbers correctly.
  • Enable version history: Turn on version history to preserve previous drafts in case you need to restore content if pages get moved out of order.

Conclusion

I hope this guide gives you a good overview of why and how to reorder pages in Google Docs efficiently. While Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in “move page” function like Microsoft Word, you can still rearrange content using these workarounds.

The copy/paste method gives you the most flexibility for changing page order drastically. But the Reorder Pages add-on makes it easy to drag-and-drop pages as needed.

Implementing these page reordering techniques alongside best practices for using headers, footers, page breaks and version histories will help you become a Google Docs power user! Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for managing lengthy documents.

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