Double spacing in Word 2019 is like giving your document some breathing room. It makes everything look neater and more organized. It’s also a requirement for many academic papers. If you’ve never done it before, don’t worry! In just a few simple steps, you’ll have your document looking sharp and double-spaced.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Double Space in Word 2019
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to know that double spacing will make your document easier to read. It’s a great way to ensure that your work looks professional.
Step 1: Open your document in Word 2019.
Open the document that you want to double space.
Once you have your document open, you’re ready to start the process. It’s always a good idea to save a copy of your document before making any major changes, just in case.
Step 2: Highlight the text you want to double space.
Select the text that needs double spacing.
If you want to double space the entire document, you can press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on Mac) to select everything. If it’s just a specific section, click and drag your cursor over the text.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
Navigate to the ‘Home’ tab in the Word ribbon.
The ‘Home’ tab is where most of the formatting options are located. It’s your one-stop shop for making your document look good.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ icon.
Find and click the ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ icon in the ‘Paragraph’ group.
This icon usually looks like a few horizontal lines with arrows pointing up and down. It’s located in the ‘Paragraph’ group of the ‘Home’ tab.
Step 5: Choose ‘2.0’ for double spacing.
Select ‘2.0’ from the drop-down menu.
Clicking on ‘2.0’ will instantly apply double spacing to your selected text. If you don’t see ‘2.0’ listed, you can click on ‘Line Spacing Options’ at the bottom of the menu to manually set the spacing.
After completing these steps, your text will be neatly double spaced. This will make it easier to read and mark up, which is especially useful if you’re submitting a paper for review.
Tips: How to Double Space in Word 2019
- Always save a copy of your document before making changes to the formatting.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+2 (Cmd+2 on Mac) to quickly apply double spacing.
- If you need to double space a large document, consider using the ‘Select All’ function to avoid missing any sections.
- Keep in mind that different institutions may have specific formatting requirements, so double-check their guidelines.
- If you’re collaborating on a document, make sure to communicate with your team about the preferred spacing to maintain consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will double spacing increase the number of pages in my document?
Yes, double spacing will increase the number of pages because it expands the space between lines.
Can I apply double spacing to just one paragraph or section?
Absolutely! Just highlight the paragraph or section you want to double space, and follow the steps provided.
Is double spacing the same as ‘2.0 line spacing’?
Yes, in Word ‘2.0 line spacing’ is the equivalent of double spacing.
What should I do if ‘2.0’ isn’t listed in the spacing options?
If ‘2.0’ isn’t listed, you can go to ‘Line Spacing Options’ and manually set the spacing to ‘2.0.’
Can I set double spacing as the default for all my documents?
Sure, you can set double spacing as the default. Just configure the settings on a new document and save it as the default template.
Summary
- Open your document in Word 2019.
- Highlight the text to be double spaced.
- Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
- Click on the ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ icon.
- Choose ‘2.0’ for double spacing.
Conclusion
Mastering how to double space in Word 2019 is a skill that will serve you well, whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who likes their documents to look clean and readable. The process is straightforward—just five simple steps that can make a world of difference in the appearance of your work. Remember to always check the requirements if you’re submitting your document somewhere, as double spacing is often a standard expectation.
But beyond just the aesthetic, double spacing can be a critical part of the editing process. It gives you, or whoever is reviewing your document, enough room to make notes and suggestions. This can lead to a more thorough review and ultimately, a better final product.
And let’s not forget about readability. Double spaced text is easier on the eyes and allows for better comprehension and retention of the material. So, whether you’re writing a novel, a research paper, or a business report, keep in mind that double spacing might just be the secret ingredient that takes your document from good to great.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.