Adjusting line spacing in Microsoft Word is essential for improving document readability and meeting formatting requirements. Below are simple steps to set line spacing in the English version of Word on both Windows and Mac.
Method 1: Using the Ribbon (Quick Access)
- Select the paragraph(s) you want to adjust.
- Go to the Home tab.
- In the Paragraph group, click the Line and Paragraph Spacing icon (it looks like stacked lines with arrows).
- Choose a spacing option such as
1.0,1.15,1.5,2.0, orAdd Space Before/After Paragraph.
Method 2: Custom Line Spacing
- Select your text.
- Click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Paragraph group on the Home tab to open the Paragraph dialog box.
- Under Spacing, find the Line spacing dropdown.
- Choose options like
Single,1.5 lines,Double,Exactly, orMultiple. - If you select
ExactlyorMultiple, enter a value in the At field (e.g.,12 ptor1.3). - Click OK to apply.
Tips
- Use
Ctrl + 1for single spacing,Ctrl + 2for double spacing, andCtrl + 5for 1.5 line spacing (Windows). - On Mac, use
Cmd + 1,Cmd + 2, andCmd + 5respectively. - Adjust spacing before or after paragraphs to create visual separation without changing line spacing within paragraphs.