How to Adjust and Change Line Spacing in Microsoft Word

Adjusting the line spacing in a Word document may be necessary for a variety of reasons. Professional documents and letters sometimes require different spacing for various sections of the document. Many classes require a specific type of spacing, typically double-spacing. Microsoft Word 2007 includes the line spacing tool right on the Home tab to simply changing this basic setting.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word
• A MS Word file opened and on your screen. Doesn't have to be the one you want to change, but that would be better.

1. Open the Word document in which you need to adjust the spacing. Use your mouse to select the text that needs to be changed.

2. Press the "Ctrl" and "A" keys if you need to select the entire document. Click the "Line Spacing" icon at the bottom of the Paragraph group.

3. Select the type of line spacing you need. The available options include single, 1.5, double, at least, exactly and multiple. Repeat as needed for other sections of your document.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an actual document you want to change, it's best to have that one opened on your screen. That way, you won't have to repeat things again.

• But if you want to practice first, then you can either open up something else to "play with," or create a new document and use that one.

• When your text is highlighted/selected, do NOT hit delete! This will erase things. So just leave it alone once it's highlighted.

• If you did accidentially erase what was highlighted, then undo it right away.

References

• Microsoft: Adjust the Line Spacing Between Text or Paragraphs