Header covers entire page (even overlaps footer)

Most likely the first page header paragraph mark or the Header style has space after in paragraph formatting (Format>Paragraph>Spacing>After).

You're also having issues because most rows are not breaking across the page boundary. This could be because the paragraph formatting of the table text is set to keep with next (Format>Paragraph>Line and Page Breaks). Or it could be that the row properties are set not to break  (Table>Table Properties>Row>Allow row to break across pages).

You table does not appear to be inline with text, since it doesn't align with any of the margins. Check Table>Table Properties>Table and change Text Wrapping from Around to None.

You will have better success diagnosing these "inexplicable" formats if you make the non-printing characters visible:

1. In Word, click on Word, then on Preferences.
2. Select View.
3. In the Nonprinting characters section, check All, then OK out.

Now you can see what is moving the header edge down. A string of carriage returns or some other formatting is creating it.

Thanks!  

I was able to solve the problem with the sections, and after some additional fiddling (I'm not sure what I did), the header went back to normal too.  Yay!  

But something is still not right, because I can't move the beginning of the table higher on page as I should be able to.  Look what happens which I increase or decrease the top margin: 

Weird, no?  

I would like to fit this table on one page (I will have to move it up AND decrease the font size).  

Any ideas?  

Thanks! 

Beth

Well, you still have some section break nonsense going on, though the break itself is not visible in your screenshot (it could be just below the bottom edge of the table). The ruler over page 2 shows that the area is formatted with 2 columns, but your table couldn't fit within that. Any change in number of columns requires a section break, so we know there is still one lurking.

In addition, the first section (the one holding the table) appears to be formatted with 0 margins top and bottom, so the table abuts the page edge.

Here's a method of diagnosis: click just outside the lower right corner of the table. You should see your cursor blinking just to the left of the row-ending character of the last table row. Now look at the status bar at the bottom of the Word window. You'll probably see Sec     1, indicating you are in the first section.

Now press the left arrow key to advance one character at a time. Eventually the status bar will display Sec    2, showing that you have moved over the invisible section break into the second section. Now press the backspace key just until the status bar goes back to Sec     1. Then press the forward delete key one time. You should have just deleted the hidden break. You might only see the left half of the table. 

Now choose Format>Columns and choose One. Your document should resume a more normal appearance. If there are still page layout issues, feel free to post another screen shot, but please include the entire Word window including the status bar.

Thanks for answering my question!  

Here is a screen shot with the non printing characters shown: 

Interestingly, look what happens if I just delete that section break at the end: