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How to Double Space In Microsoft Word
David Buck is a writer, musician, and former radio/TV guy. His work has appeared on Nerdvana Media, Tedium, The Nintendo Times, Star Trek.com, EN World, SyFy Wire, Today I Found Out, How-To Geek, YouTube, and across the web. He attempts to play guitar, loves retro video games, and writes science fiction drabbles in his spare time. He lives in Colorado with his family. Read more...
If you need to add some line spacing to your Word document or write an APA style piece, double spacing is a useful feature. You can quickly double space your documents with just a few clicks or a keyboard shortcut.
What Is Double-Spacing? Option 1: Configure Document to Automatically Double Space Option 2: Double Space With a Keyboard Shortcut Option 3: Double-Space by Editing the Text Properties
What Is Double-Spacing?
Virtually every college student eventually has to double space a document in Microsoft Word. It provides plenty of margins to make notes or suggestions in a document. It’s also a great way to make it easier to read—I can’t read anything on a Kindle without changing the view to double-spaced, for instance—and can be more visually appealing for certain types of writing.
If you use Google’s apps, double spacing on Google Docs is a common task as well. Fortunately, there are several ways to use double spacing in Microsoft Word. You can set your document up ahead of time with double-spaced formatting, or apply double spacing to the document after finishing it instead.
RELATED: How to Double-Space on Google Docs
If you don’t have anything written yet, you can use a cool trick from the 2007 version of Microsoft Word (that still exists in the current version of the software) to create some random text to edit. Simply open up a new document, click anywhere in the field, and type =lorem() to create some fancy Lorem Ipsum text . Do this as many times as you like to create additional paragraphs.
Once you’ve generated your text or finished writing your document, it’s time to set your line spacing.
RELATED: Undocumented Microsoft Word Feature: Insert Lorem Ipsum Text
Option 1: Configure Document to Automatically Double Space
If you want to configure your document to automatically double space as you write, there are two ways to do it.
The first method uses the “Line Spacing” icon under the “Home” tab. In the “Home” tab, navigate to the “Line Spacing” icon.
Select “2.0” from the drop-down menu. Your text will now be double spaced. You can do this to quickly double spacing at any point in the writing process, but it works best for setting up the document.
You can accomplish the same goal using the Design tab. Start by clicking the “Design” tab in the ribbon.
In the “Design” tab, navigate over to the “Paragraph Spacing” option. Select it to bring up a menu.
In the drop-down menu, select “Double :”
And that’s it! Your document will now automatically set each line to double spaced as you write:
Option 2: Double Space With a Keyboard Shortcut
Another easy way to double space your documents is to use our old friend, the please note this method works as both a way to configure the document before writing and to double space while writing.
To double space with a keyboard shortcut, first highlight your desired text, or select everything using the Ctrl+A command.
With the desired text selected, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+2 to quickly apply double space formatting to your text.
Option 3: Double-Space by Editing the Text Properties
A third method for double spacing your text is to edit the paragraph settings of specific passages. First, highlight the text you want or use Ctrl+A to select all:
Right-click your mouse to bring up a menu and select “Paragraph: “
In the “Paragraph” menu, select the drop-down menu located beneath “Line Spacing:”
Select “Double” and click “OK :”
Using these methods to quickly double space text in Microsoft Word will help you get past those formatting roadblocks with ease. Happy writing!
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Double-space the lines in a document
You can double-space all or part of a Word document.
To double-space the whole document, go to Design > Paragraph Spacing , and choose Double .
Important: Office 2010 is no longer supported . Upgrade to Microsoft 365 to work anywhere from any device and continue to receive support. Upgrade now
Double-space the entire document
On the Home tab, in the Styles group, right-click Normal , and then click Modify .
Under Formatting , click the Double Space button, and then click OK.
Formatting for the entire document changes to double spacing.
Double-space the selected text
Select the text that you want to change.
Click 2.0 .
Single-space the lines in a document
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How to Double Space in Word
Last Updated: August 25, 2022
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 44 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 803,766 times. Learn more...
Changing the line spacing can make a Word document easier to read and make notes on when printed. Follow this guide to change the spacing in any version of Word, regardless of your operating system.
Word 2016/2013/Office 365
- To double-space a specific area of text, highlight the text, click the Line and Paragraph Spacing button on the Home tab (4 horizontal lines with two blue arrows), then select 2.0.
Word 2007/2010
- If you don’t see the line spacing button, it is most likely missing because the window isn’t large enough. You can access it by clicking the arrow button next to the word Paragraph. This will open the Paragraph menu.
- In the Paragraph menu, you can adjust the line spacing using the Line Spacing dropdown menu from the Spacing section.
- Before will add space before the paragraph begins.
- After will add spacing every time you press Enter to start a new paragraph.
- ”Exactly” will allow you to set an exact spacing between lines, measured in points. There are 72 points to an inch.
- ”Multiple” will allow you to set larger spacing, such as triple spacing.
- You can change the spacing of the entire document by selecting all of the text and then adjusting the spacing settings. To quickly select all of the text Press Ctrl + A (PC) or ⌘ Command + A (Mac). This will not affect headers, footers, or text boxes. You will need to select these sections individually to change the spacing in them.
- Select all the text you wish to change the spacing of.
- Press Ctrl + 2 (PC) or ⌘ Command + 2 (Mac). This will give you double spacing.
- Press Ctrl + 5 (PC) or ⌘ Command + 5 (Mac). This will give you 1.5-line spacing.
- Press Ctrl + 1 (PC) or ⌘ Command + 1 (Mac). This will give you single spacing.
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- ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/double-space-the-lines-in-a-document-9c026fce-5231-4508-b236-5cd3a4953469
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- How to Double Space in Word: Ultima ...
How to Double Space in Word: Ultimate Guide
How do you double space in Word? It’s a simple question, but there are various ways to accomplish the same thing. In this guide, we’ll cover how to get that white space when and where you need it. We’ll also cover what it means and when it’s time to make it a double (so to speak).
Read on for more or jump straight to the double-spacing options.
Article Roadmap
What is Double Spacing in Word?
- When Should I Double Space?
For Most Versions
Microsoft office 365 (microsoft word 2016+).
- Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 & 2013
Double Spacing for Some Text
Double spacing for a new paragraph.
Double spacing, simply put, is the act of adding a blank line between every line of text, like an extra bit of padding. The result is a document that’s doubled in size and easier on the eyes.
The extra line genesis comes from the original generator of all printed text, the typewriter. It set line spacing at six lines per inch during the typewriter’s days. If a writer wanted more room on the page, they skipped a line.
This quote from Matt Samberg’s article, “ Line Spacing, Explained ,” sums it up nicely.
Back in the old days of typewriters, line spacing was always 6 lines per inch (12 points per line). This was a mechanical feature of the type writer; it could not be changed. Your only real options for line spacing were to type single-spaced with 12 points per line, or to insert a carriage return between line [sic] to double-space the text at 24 points per line.”
When Should You Double Space?
Double spacing has several advantages, especially during editing. Double-spaced work is easier to read and has more openings to either scribble notes (if the reviewer reads it on actual paper) or add comments (on a digital copy). Double spacing is commonly used in schoolwork and professional settings, and is a standard part of several grammar style books such as APA, Chicago, MLA and more.
How to Double Space in Word
To double space all the text in desktop and mobile versions of Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365, use the following methods:
Use the Spacing Button
- Go to the toolbar.
- Click the button with four lines and up and down arrows.
- Select the desired spacing option.
A simple way to double space.
Use the “Design” Menu
- Go to the “Design” menu.
- Go to “Paragraph Spacing.”
- Click “Double.”
Select Design > Paragraph Spacing > Double.
Use “Format” Context Menu Option
- Highlight the text you wish to double space.
- Right-click the highlighted text.
- Click “Format” and then “Paragraph.” (This may be labeled only as “Paragraph” in some versions” of Word.)
- In the “Paragraph” window, go to the tab, “Indents and Spacing.”
- Click the drop-down menu for line spacing.
- Click “OK.”
Format through the paragraph menu.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
- Highlight your text.
- Use Ctrl+1 (⌘ Command+1 for Mac) to single space.
- Use Ctrl+2 (⌘ Command+2 for Mac) to double space.
- Use Ctrl+5 (⌘ Command+2 for Mac) for 1.5 spacing.
Use “Paragraph”
- Go to the “Home” tab.
- Go to the “Paragraph” group.
- Click “Option.”
- Use the line spacing options for the desired spacing.
The “Paragraph” box on the menu.
Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 and 2013
Use “styles”.
- Click the “Home” tab.
- Click “Styles.”
- Click “Normal,” or the first option.
- Select “modify” on the drop-down menu.
- Under formatting, click double space.
Double spacing through the “Styles” option in Word.
Here’s a hint: If you don’t want to change the formatting of a “Normal” style, you can create a new style just for double spacing.
- Go to “Styles.”
- Click the “More options” button.
- Click “New Style” and name it something you’ll remember when you refer back to it and hit OK.
- Right-click on the newly created style and select “Modify.”
Use “Page Layout”
- Go to “Page Layout.”
- Click the down arrow in the bottom right corner.
- You’ll see this right next to the “Paragraph” window.
- Go to “Indents and Spacing.”
- Click the down arrow next to the box for line spacing.
- Double click OK.
How to double space through the “Page Layout” option in Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 and 2013.
This strategy works for double-spacing specific parts of text in Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365.
Microsoft Word 2003
- Select the text you’re going to double space.
- Press Ctrl+A (or ⌘ Command+A on Mac) to select all the text..
- Go to “Format” and go to “Paragraph.”
- Click the “Line Spacing” drop-down box.
- Pick your desired spacing option.
Where to find options for double spacing in Microsoft Word 2003.
This strategy works for Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365.
Use “Ctrl+Enter”
- Press “Enter” for a new paragraph.
- The default setting adds a space between the two graphs.
- To go to the next line and not start a new paragraph, press “Ctrl+Enter.”
To get the whole scoop, here are a few quick A’s for all your Q’s about double spacing.
What is the default spacing for lines in Word documents?
The default line spacing is 1.15.
How do you get single-spaced text?
Select it from the dropdown menu.
What does the “Exactly” setting do?
It sets an exact measurement of space between lines.
How is the “Exactly” setting measured?
It’s measured in points.
How big is a point?
A total of 72 points is equivalent to one inch.
What does the “Multiple” setting do?
It allows users to set the spacing higher than 2.0, such as triple spacing or beyond.
Does 2.0 count as double spaced?
Yes, 2.0 spacing is double spaced.
Does 1.5 count as double spaced?
No, but 1.5 spacing is useful in various circumstances. Depending on the font and size, a 1.5 space may be a better option for readability.
What does double spacing look like?
Double spacing looks like adding twice as much blank space between lines of text, resulting in spaced-out lines that are easier to read and preferred by many professionals and academics.
When I press enter, why is the space too big in Word?
When you’ve already enabled double spacing in a document, hitting “Enter” between lines adds a third line of space. It’s up to you if you like this style or not, although it’s not standard in most double-spaced documents.
Now you know the tricks and tips for how to double space in Word along with the best of them. Through these methods, you can ensure that your next presentation looks as professional as possible. You’re also giving your readers the most readable format possible. Don’t “space” out when it comes to this easy and useful function in Microsoft Word.
Lynsie - September 9, 2021 reply
NONE of these are available to me. I have “Word” but only through office and it will NOT let me save anything to my computer either. I need to double space.
Grace Savides - September 9, 2021 reply
Hmm. That’s a pickle. I know that some more restricted versions of Word don’t have as much functionality. Here are two things you could try:
1. If there’s no Design in the menu, click “Home” and then look for the alignment options. (Left, middle, right and justified.” There should be a button right next to it for double spacing. 2. Select all text and then hit “Ctrl” and “2.” That’s the double spacing shortcut.
Try that and let us know how it goes.
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To double space with a keyboard shortcut, first highlight your desired text, or select everything using the Ctrl+A command. With the desired text selected, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+2 to quickly apply double space formatting to your text. Option 3: Double-Space by Editing the Text Properties
Find the style you're using in the Styles gallery on the Home tab. Right-click the style you want to change and select Modify. Near the center of the dialog box you'll find the line spacing buttons that let you select single, 1.5x or double spaced. Choose the spacing you want to apply and click OK.
A simple way to double space. Use the “Design” Menu Go to the “Design” menu. Go to “Paragraph Spacing.” Click “Double.” Select Design > Paragraph Spacing > Double. Use “Format” Context Menu Option Highlight the text you wish to double space. Right-click the highlighted text.