# Fitting content on a page

> What to change when your resume runs onto an extra page: format, wording, columns, page placement, fonts and spacing.

On A4 and Letter, content that runs past the bottom of a page continues on an extra page. The label above each page in the preview shows the total, for example **Page 2 of 2**. Here are the ways to bring it back, from the least to the most effort.

<Warning>
  An extra page can break in an awkward place, such as between a job title and its bullets. Check the preview before
  you export.
</Warning>

## 1. Switch to Free-form

If the resume will only be read on screen, set **Design** > **Page** > **Format** to **Free-form**. The page then grows to fit its content, so nothing spills onto an extra page. See [Selecting the right page format](https://docs.hiresweep.com/guides/selecting-page-format).

## 2. Shorten the text

- Use bullet points instead of paragraphs.
- Cut filler: "Was responsible for managing" becomes "Managed".
- Keep measurable results and drop generic duties.
- Three to five bullets per role is usually enough.

The [agent](https://docs.hiresweep.com/guides/using-ai-in-the-builder) can tighten wording for you if you ask it to.

## 3. Put short lists in columns

Sections made of short items take less height in several columns. In the **Edit** tab, open the section, open **Section options** (the section's menu, not an item's) and choose **Columns**, from 1 to 6.

| Section | Columns to try |
| --- | --- |
| Skills | 2 or 3 |
| Languages | 3 |
| Interests | 2 or 3 |
| Profiles | 3 |
| Certifications, if short | 2 |

Sections with long descriptions, such as Experience or Projects, usually read better in one column.

## 4. Move items to another page

If the resume can have two pages, choose what goes on the second. Open an item's **Item actions** menu and choose **Move to**. See [Moving items between sections](https://docs.hiresweep.com/guides/moving-items-between-sections). To move a whole section, drag it to another page in **Design** > **Layout**.

## 5. Adjust fonts and spacing

These settings in the **Design** tab change how much fits on a page:

| Setting | Group | Effect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Font Size** (Body) | Typography | A smaller size fits more text on each line and page. It changes in 0.1 pt steps. |
| **Line Height** (Body) | Typography | Tighter lines take less height. |
| **Margin (Horizontal)**, **Margin (Vertical)** | Page | Smaller margins give the content more room. |
| **Spacing (Horizontal)**, **Spacing (Vertical)** | Page | Less space between sections. |
| **Sidebar Width** | Layout | Rebalances the main column and the sidebar. |
| **Size** | Picture (Edit tab) | A smaller photo leaves more room for text. |

<Tip>
  Small changes add up. Dropping the body font from 11 pt to 10.5 pt and trimming the margins a little often recovers
  several lines. Keep body text at 9 pt or larger so it stays readable.
</Tip>

## 6. Hide what the role doesn't need

Hide sections that don't help for this application, such as Interests, References, old certifications or unrelated volunteer work. Open the section's **Section options** menu and choose **Hide**, or choose **Hide** in an item's **Item actions** menu to hide a single item. Hidden content stays in the resume and comes back when you choose **Show**.

## A good order to work in

1. Switch to Free-form if nobody will print the resume.
2. Cut text.
3. Use columns for short lists.
4. Move secondary content to page 2, if two pages are acceptable.
5. Fine-tune fonts and spacing last.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="It still doesn't fit">
    Look again at what each item adds for this job, or try another template. Some templates use space more
    efficiently than others; see [Choosing a template](https://docs.hiresweep.com/guides/choosing-a-template).
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="The PDF looks different from the preview">
    The preview and the PDF come from the same renderer. Reload the builder so the fonts finish loading, then export
    again.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="The text is now too small to read">
    Go back to 9 pt or more for body text and cut content instead.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>