Word what is double spacing

To double-space the whole document, go to Design > Paragraph Spacing, and choose Double.

Tip: To double-space only part of the document, select the paragraphs you want to change, go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing, and choose 2.0.

Double-space the entire document

1. On the Home tab, in the Styles group, right-click Normal, and then click Modify.

   

2. Under Formatting, click the Double Space button, and then click OK.

   Formatting for the entire document changes to double spacing.

Double-space the selected text

1. Select the text that you want to change.

2. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click Line and Paragraph Spacing (Line Spacing in Word 2007) .

3. Click 2.0.

How do you double space in Word? It’s a simple question, but there are various ways to accomplish the same thing. In this guide, we’ll cover how to get that white space when and where you need it. We’ll also cover what it means and when it’s time to make it a double (so to speak).

Read on for more or jump straight to the double-spacing options.

Article Roadmap

• What is Double Spacing in Word?
• When Should I Double Space?
• How to Double Space in Word
  • For Most Versions
  • Microsoft Office 365 (Microsoft Word 2016+)
  • Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 & 2013
  • Double Spacing for Some Text
  • Double Spacing for a New Paragraph
• FAQs

What is Double Spacing in Word?

Double spacing, simply put, is the act of adding a blank line between every line of text, like an extra bit of padding. The result is a document that’s doubled in size and easier on the eyes.

The extra line genesis comes from the original generator of all printed text, the typewriter. It set line spacing at six lines per inch during the typewriter’s days. If a writer wanted more room on the page, they skipped a line.

This quote from Matt Samberg’s article, “Line Spacing, Explained,” sums it up nicely.

Back in the old days of typewriters, line spacing was always 6 lines per inch (12 points per line). This was a mechanical feature of the type writer; it could not be changed. Your only real options for line spacing were to type single-spaced with 12 points per line, or to insert a carriage return between line [sic] to double-space the text at 24 points per line.”

When Should You Double Space?

Double spacing has several advantages, especially during editing. Double-spaced work is easier to read and has more openings to either scribble notes (if the reviewer reads it on actual paper) or add comments (on a digital copy). Double spacing is commonly used in schoolwork and professional settings, and is a standard part of several grammar style books such as APA, Chicago, MLA and more.

How to Double Space in Word

For Most Versions

To double space all the text in desktop and mobile versions of Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365, use the following methods:

Use the Spacing Button

1. Go to the toolbar.
2. Click the button with four lines and up and down arrows.
3. Select the desired spacing option.

Use the “Design” Menu

1. Go to the “Design” menu.
2. Go to “Paragraph Spacing.”
3. Click “Double.”

Use “Format” Context Menu Option

1. Highlight the text you wish to double space.
2. Right-click the highlighted text.
3. Click “Format” and then “Paragraph.” (This may be labeled only as “Paragraph” in some versions” of Word.)
4. In the “Paragraph” window, go to the tab, “Indents and Spacing.”
5. Click the drop-down menu for line spacing.
6. Click “Double.”
7. Click “OK.”

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Highlight your text.
2. Use Ctrl+1 (⌘ Command+1 for Mac) to single space.
3. Use Ctrl+2 (⌘ Command+2 for Mac) to double space.
4. Use Ctrl+5 (⌘ Command+2 for Mac) for 1.5 spacing.

Microsoft Office 365 (Microsoft Word 2016+)

Use “Paragraph”

1. Go to the “Home” tab.
2. Go to the “Paragraph” group.
3. Click “Option.”
4. Use the line spacing options for the desired spacing.

Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 and 2013

Use “Styles”

1. Click the “Home” tab.
2. Click “Styles.”
3. Click “Normal,” or the first option.
4. Select “modify” on the drop-down menu.
5. Under formatting, click double space.
6. Click OK.

Here’s a hint: If you don’t want to change the formatting of a “Normal” style, you can create a new style just for double spacing.

• Go to “Styles.”
• Click the “More options” button.
• Click “New Style” and name it something you’ll remember when you refer back to it and hit OK.
• Right-click on the newly created style and select “Modify.”
• Under formatting, click double space.
• Click “OK.”

Use “Page Layout”

1. Go to “Page Layout.”
2. Click the down arrow in the bottom right corner.
3. You’ll see this right next to the “Paragraph” window.
4. Go to “Indents and Spacing.”
5. Click the down arrow next to the box for line spacing.
6. Double click OK.

Double Spacing for Some Text

This strategy works for double-spacing specific parts of text in Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Word 2003

1. Select the text you’re going to double space.
2. Press Ctrl+A (or ⌘ Command+A on Mac) to select all the text..
3. Go to “Format” and go to “Paragraph.”
4. Click the “Line Spacing” drop-down box.
5. Pick your desired spacing option.
6. Click OK.

Double Spacing for a New Paragraph

This strategy works for Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365.

Use “Ctrl+Enter”

1. Press “Enter” for a new paragraph.
2. The default setting adds a space between the two graphs.
3. To go to the next line and not start a new paragraph, press “Ctrl+Enter.”

FAQs

To get the whole scoop, here are a few quick A’s for all your Q’s about double spacing.

What is the default spacing for lines in Word documents?

The default line spacing is 1.15.

How do you get single-spaced text?

Select it from the dropdown menu.

What does the “Exactly” setting do?

It sets an exact measurement of space between lines.

How is the “Exactly” setting measured?

It’s measured in points.

How big is a point?

A total of 72 points is equivalent to one inch.

What does the “Multiple” setting do?

It allows users to set the spacing higher than 2.0, such as triple spacing or beyond.

Does 2.0 count as double spaced?

Yes, 2.0 spacing is double spaced.

Does 1.5 count as double spaced?

No, but 1.5 spacing is useful in various circumstances. Depending on the font and size, a 1.5 space may be a better option for readability.

What does double spacing look like?

Double spacing looks like adding twice as much blank space between lines of text, resulting in spaced-out lines that are easier to read and preferred by many professionals and academics.

When I press enter, why is the space too big in Word?

When you’ve already enabled double spacing in a document, hitting “Enter” between lines adds a third line of space. It’s up to you if you like this style or not, although it’s not standard in most double-spaced documents.

Conclusion

Now you know the tricks and tips for how to double space in Word along with the best of them. Through these methods, you can ensure that your next presentation looks as professional as possible. You’re also giving your readers the most readable format possible. Don’t “space” out when it comes to this easy and useful function in Microsoft Word.

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!

Asked by: Ara Streich

Score: 4.7/5
(54 votes)

Double spacing increases the amount of space between lines of text and can be helpful to a teacher or editor in marking the document or adding comments. Double spacing a Word document will differ depending on which version of Word you have.

Is 2.0 double spaced?

A 2.0 value will mean double spacing. Remember that the double spacing will take place from whatever part in the text your cursor is positioned.

What does 1.5 spaced mean?

1.5 in Word line spacing means that the space between two lines equals 1.5 times the height of the letters.

What is 1.5 double line spacing in Word?

Use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + 1 to single space, Ctrl + 2 to double space, or Ctrl + 5 to set the spacing to 1.5 line spacing on any line, paragraph, or all highlighted text. Note. When pressing Enter , it starts a new paragraph with extra space between the two paragraphs.

Is 1.5 spacing double spacing?

Press Ctrl+1 for single-spacing, Ctrl+5 for 1.5 spacing, or Ctrl+2 for double-spacing.

32 related questions found

Updated: 12/31/2020 by

Double space may refer to any of the following:

1. In text formatting, a double space means sentences contain a full blank line (the equivalent of the full height of a line of text) between the rows of words. By default, most programs have single spacing enabled, a slight space between each line of text, similar to how this paragraph looks.

Most word processors allow for custom spacing, including the ability to automatically double space a document. For example, when a teacher wants an essay double spaced, you’ll need to adjust your spacing settings, so the text in the essay is double spaced. For programs that do not allow for spacing to be adjusted (e.g., text editors), you can press Enter twice to create a blank line between a line of text. However, realize that when you do this word wrapping doesn’t work, and the format may appear different when printed or viewed on a different sized window.

Example of double spacing

Here is an example of how a

sentence with double spacing

might look.

Example of single spacing

Here is an example of how a
sentence with single spacing
might look.

Tip

Use Ctrl+1 to single space, Ctrl+2 to double space, or Ctrl+5 to set the spacing to 1.5 line spacing on any line, paragraph, or all highlighted text.

2. DoubleSpace is a technology from Microsoft that compresses and uncompresses the data on a hard drive using FAT. By compressing the data on a hard drive, more data can be stored on a hard drive. Today, with bigger hard drives and newer file systems, DoubleSpace is no longer used.

White space, Word processor, Word processor terms

Asked by: Benton Mertz

Score: 4.9/5
(5 votes)

Double spacing refers to the amount of space that shows between the individual lines of your paper. When a paper is single-spaced, there is very little white space between the typed lines, which means there is no room for marks or comments.

Is 2.0 double spaced?

A 2.0 value will mean double spacing. Remember that the double spacing will take place from whatever part in the text your cursor is positioned. … Everything will be double spaced until you reset it to something else, such as 1.0 for single spacing.

What is double spacing in words?

Double spacing increases the amount of space between lines of text and can be helpful to a teacher or editor in marking the document or adding comments. Double spacing a Word document will differ depending on which version of Word you have.

How long is double space in Word?

Use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + 1 to single space, Ctrl + 2 to double space, or Ctrl + 5 to set the spacing to 1.5 line spacing on any line, paragraph, or all highlighted text.

How do I double space in Word 2020?

To double-space the whole document, go to Design > Paragraph Spacing, and choose Double. Tip: To double-space only part of the document, select the paragraphs you want to change, go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing, and choose 2.0.

30 related questions found