How to Set 1 Inch Margin in Word

When you’re planning the layout for your next Microsoft Word document, keep your readers’ eyes in mind. It can be beneficial to leave as much white space as possible on the page, according to experts such as those at the Penn State Learning Design Community Hub, because it breaks up the thick block of black type. Even though space may be valuable real estate on your page, take advantage of Word’s quick margin settings to apply the default of 1 inch of space around the border of the page.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Word. If you’re setting margins on an existing document, click the “File” tab. Click “Open.” Navigate to the document and double-click its filename to open it.

2. Click the “Page Layout” tab and select “Margins.”

3. Click the “Normal” option, which is second from the top. If you opened an existing document, changing the margins may shuffle the flow, making it longer or shorter.

Tips & Warnings

• Word’s default is already a 1-inch margin, but this may be changed if you receive a document from someone else who has altered the settings.

• To adjust just the right or left margin, click “Page Layout,” select “Margins,” choose “Custom Margins” and type your new margin dimension into the Left or Right field.

References

• Penn State Learning Design Community Hub: Page Layout Tips
• Microsoft: Change or Set Page Margins

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Getting Started with Word 2010