How do dividend stocks pay?

Hi all, so I'm looking to move my cash paying stocks Into dividend stocks. My portfolio is fairly balanced with my largest portion in efts.

I'm looking at moving my S&P 500 stocks from cash to dividend paying.

The stocks I found for dividend paying are much larger to purchase. So I could purchase 10 or so. Now if they pay dividends, does that mean the stock goes up in value? Rather than paying say 1 or a portion of a stock.

As you can't buy a portion of a stock, does this mean I'd need a much larger portfolio to start with these? Or can they pay a portion?

Probably a simple question, but all advice I've found simply it's pays dividends back into the fund.

I started back in 2020 slowly dip feeding my account with payments.

I'm mortgage free in 7 years. And want to get a headstand, before I up my payments after my house is secure. Aiming for 20-30 years, post mortgage.

So long term, I would rather be in the dividend side.

Thanks!