Single spacing in Microsoft Word 2019 is a simple task that can be achieved in just a few clicks. If you’re looking to tidy up your document and make it look more professional, single spacing is the way to go. It’s the standard for most business and academic documents. Here’s how you can do it quickly and easily.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Single Space Microsoft Word 2019
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re aiming for. Single spacing will adjust the space between lines of text so that it’s minimal, making your document appear more compact and neat. Now, let’s get to it!
Step 1: Open your Microsoft Word Document
Open the document you want to single space. This is the first thing you need to do before you can make any formatting changes.
Once you have your document open, you’re ready to start changing the spacing. It doesn’t matter if your document is already written or if you’re starting from scratch, the steps are the same.
Step 2: Highlight the text you want to single space
Click and drag your cursor over the text you want to format. If you want the whole document to be single spaced, press Ctrl+A to select everything.
Remember, if you only want to single space part of your document, be careful to select only the text you want to change. You wouldn’t want to accidentally format the wrong section!
Step 3: Go to the ‘Home’ tab
Look at the top of the page for the toolbar and click on the ‘Home’ tab. This is where you’ll find all the basic formatting options, including spacing.
In the ‘Home’ tab, you’ll find all sorts of tools to change the way your text looks. But for now, we’re focusing on spacing.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ icon
In the ‘Paragraph’ group of the ‘Home’ tab, you’ll find an icon that looks like two up and down arrows with lines to their right. Click on it.
The ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ icon is usually located near the center of the toolbar within the ‘Paragraph’ group. It’s easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for.
Step 5: Select ‘1.0’
From the dropdown menu that appears, choose ‘1.0’. This will set your selected text to single spacing.
And just like that, you’ve set your document to single spacing! It might seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference in the look and feel of your document.
After completing these steps, your text will be single spaced. This means there will be less space between each line of text, making your document look more streamlined and professional. You can always adjust the spacing again if you need to, but single spacing is a great place to start for most documents.
Tips: How to Single Space Microsoft Word 2019
- If you’re starting a new document and you know you want it to be single spaced, you can set the spacing before you begin typing. Just follow the steps above before you start.
- Keep in mind that single spacing will make your document appear longer since it reduces the space between lines. Plan accordingly if you have a page limit.
- If you find that single spacing makes your document look too cramped, try increasing the paragraph spacing to add a little extra room.
- Remember that different fonts and font sizes can also affect how your single spaced document looks. Play around with these settings to find the best fit for your needs.
- Don’t forget to save your document after you change the spacing. You wouldn’t want to lose all your hard work!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I single space just a portion of my document?
Yes, you can! Just highlight the section you want to single space and follow the steps above.
What if I change my mind and want to go back to double spacing?
No problem. Just select the text again and choose ‘2.0’ from the ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ menu.
Will single spacing affect my document’s formatting in other ways?
Single spacing shouldn’t interfere with other formatting, but it will make your document look more compact overall.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts to single space my document?
While there’s no direct keyboard shortcut for single spacing, you can use Ctrl+A to select all text and then follow the rest of the steps.
Is single spacing the same as removing the space between paragraphs?
Not quite. Single spacing adjusts the space between lines of text, whereas removing space between paragraphs affects the spacing after a paragraph break.
Summary
- Open your Microsoft Word Document
- Highlight the text you want to single space
- Go to the ‘Home’ tab
- Click on the ‘Line and Paragraph Spacing’ icon
- Select ‘1.0’
Conclusion
Mastering how to single space Microsoft Word 2019 is an essential skill for anyone looking to create professional-looking documents. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or just someone who likes to keep their writing neat and tidy, single spacing can make a world of difference. It’s a quick and easy change that can improve readability and give your documents a polished look.
Remember, the key to effective formatting is consistency. Once you decide on single spacing, make sure to apply it throughout your document for a cohesive appearance. And don’t be afraid to experiment with other formatting options like font styles and sizes to find the perfect combination for your needs.
If you’re new to Microsoft Word or just need a refresher, this article should have provided you with a solid starting point for single spacing your documents. And if you have any other Word-related questions, don’t hesitate to dive into the wealth of resources available online. Happy formatting!
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.