How to Format Margins

Formatting your resume with one-inch margins makes it easier to read.

Margins add spacing between the edges of a page and its content. A margin's size dictates the amount of space that's available for content. Your settings depend on the type of document you're creating. A business letter may require different margins than a memo or resume. The format is important for the overall design, making text easier or more difficult to read. You can customize your margin's format via several computer programs.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word, WordPerfect or OpenOffice Writer

Instructions

Miscellaneous Documents

1. Apply a one-inch margin on all sides for business letters, reports and/or research papers. (References 4 and 6).

2. Insert a two-inch margin at the top and one-inch margin to the remaining sides of a memo. (Reference 5).

3. Set the margins between a half-inch to one inch on all sides for resumes. (Resource 1).

Format Margins in Microsoft Word

1. Click the "Page Layout" tab in the document you want to format.

2. Click the "Page Setup" dialogue box launcher in the bottom, right corner of the "Page Setup" group. The "Page Setup" dialogue box opens to the "Margins" tab.

3. Enter the margin settings for your document into the "Top," "Bottom," "Left" and "Right" text fields. Click "OK."

Format Margins in WordPerfect

1. Click "Format" and "Margins" in the document you want to format. The "Page Setup" dialogue box opens.

2. Go to the "Document margins" section.

3. Type your settings into the "Left," "Right," "Top" and "Bottom" text fields. Click "OK."

Format Margins in OpenOffice Writer

1. Click "Format" and "Page" in the document you want to format. The "Page Style" dialogue box opens.

2. Click the "Page" tab.

3. Type your settings into the "Left," "Right," "Top" and "Bottom" text fields. Click "OK."

References

• Microsoft Office: Change Page Margins
• "Absolute Beginner's Guide to WordPerfect X3"; Laura Acklen; 2006
• "OpenOffice.org 2.x Writer Guide"; Oooauthors Team; 2008
• English Plus: Business Letters
• Davidson: Parts of a Memo
• Indiana State University: APA Paper for Students Interested in Learning APA Style 6th Edition

Resources

• Wellesley: Resume Format: Text and Space