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January 17th, 2009 23:00
How to fix spacing in MS Word 2007
I've used Office 2003 and MS Word for a long time. I've recently started using MS Word 2007. Now this may sound like a dumb question but here it goes... How do I tell Word to stop putting spaces between each line as I type? In Word 2007, the program wants to default to 10 pt between each line versus 0 pts between each line.
I know I can use the Ribbon in MS Word 2007 and I know I can click on Page Layout, and then go to Spacing to change this default spacing of 10 pt to my preferred 0 pt spacing between lines. However, every time I open Word, I have to keep on going back to the Ribbon and making this same adjustment.
I want to change this setting permanently so I do not have to keep on making the adjustment every time I use Word. Can someone tell me how? I know there must be an easy solution but I am just not seeing it. Thanks in advance for any replies.
abach
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January 18th, 2009 09:00
Normally Word 2007 will place 10pt between each line and use a 1.15 as its line spacing. If you have different settings or would like to change the default settings. right-click on the Normal style icon and choose modify. In the Modify Styles dialog box, click the Format button, then choose Paragraph.
Then choose the Spacing After, set it to 0, and then choose the Line Spacing, setting it to Single. Click OK
You'll return to the Modify Style dialog box. Click the Radio Button "New Documents based on this template". From this point forward you will have the settings you desire.
The above is based on the default style sheet for Word 2007. If you click the drop down list for style sets, you'll notice changes to your document that will affect paragraph and line spacing.
scott784
388 Posts
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January 18th, 2009 11:00
Thanks for your reply as well as the detailed instructions you gave. I was able to alter the default settings in Word and now have the single spacing with 0 pt between lines as I wanted.
By the way, do you have any idea why MS changed this default in Word 2007? MS Word 2003 had single spacing and as far as I remember it was 0 pt spacing.
The new default in MS Word 2007 just doesn't look right to me. Again, I appreciate your help.
abach
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January 18th, 2009 15:00
Most users of Microsoft Word have never used or understood styles. Many people would press the Enter key two times between paragraphs to insert a "blank line" between each paragraph. You'll find that most law offices use this technique, and many corporate offices also format the paragraphs with a "blank line" between.
Having a paragraph mark
between paragraphs is not the proper method of spacing. Styles should be used for this and many other formatting of documents. So, Microsoft used the Normal style in Word 2007 to place this space. You'll find by using styles you have much more control when editing your document, and corruption will not occur. You'll also find that your Style Sets in Word 2007 are much more usable.
So, though some users don't agree with the feature, many word processor users likes it. However, it can be modified and that is what you've done.
Glad I could help.
Allan Bach
scott784
388 Posts
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January 19th, 2009 00:00
Yes, you were a big help and your instructions allowed me to accomplish what I wanted. I am just curious. Aren't the changes I made the default options in Word 2003?
I new something did 't look right in Word 2007 when the default option appeared to be what looked like double spacing between lines within the same paragraph. It's all fixed now (thanks to your help). However, I am just curious about my current question? Thanks again.