If you’re looking for an easy to follow extensive guide on how to double space word in the commonly used apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, then you’ve come to the right spot.
I’ll start with a brief introduction into what it means to Double Space and then dive into the steps properly.
I will be offering different methods so choose the method you find easier to get your work done.
What’s “Double Space” Word?
Let me take you through this common scenario.
So you’re working on an essay or brief of some kind.
You realize that the words are a little bit jammed together and you want the words to have more space between them because as it is, it would not appeal to readers.
What you have to do is double space that documents to ensure your words are clearer and not jumbled together.
You will get people to read your work (content) if it is orderly and spaced properly.
What Double Spacing does is add a normal blank line between the rows of your content. This means your lines of words are separated distinctly which has shown to increase readability.
How To Double Space Word
To explain how this works in Microsoft Word and this should work for most editions since 2010. But even if you’re using an older or newer version, the steps are almost the same and you can adjust to fit your settings where they differ.
There are three ways you could go about this. These three ways will depend on what you want.
- Double Space The Lines In A Document
- Double Space The Whole Text In The Document
- Double Space Only Selected Content From The Full Document
1. Double Space The Lines In a Document
The first step is (assuming you have launched the Word app and opened the document you want to work on) to navigate to Design.
Then in the Design menu, click on Paragraph Spacing.
When the Paragraph Spacing menu opens up, search for and click on Double.
Then whenever you type, your lines of words will now be given a double space between the sentences.
2. Double Space The Whole Text In The Document
This tip is different from the first tip because now you’re dealing with the whole document.
The first step is (assuming you have launched the Word app and opened the document you want to work on) to navigate to the Home tab and search for Styles.
When the Styles menu opens, search for and right-click on Normal.
Then after this, select Modify in the Normal pop-out menu.
You will see a Formatting icon when you select Modify.
In the Formatting menu, find and click the Double Space option and then save the changes by selecting OK.
Immediately you do this, the whole Format of your document will change.
This is why you used the Double Space option under the Formatting feature.
3. Double Space Only Selected Content From The Full Document
This method is almost similar to the one above, only, in this case, it will apply to the text highlighted and not to the whole document.
The first thing you have to do is highlight the text you want to double space.
Highlight can be done by right-clicking and moving your cursor over the text and.
Once you’ve highlighted the text, navigate to Paragraph in the Word menu.
Select Line and Paragraph Spacing and change the figure (usually 1.15) to 2.0.
This will change the highlighted text’s space to a double space but will leave the text that was not highlighted.
You can use this tip if you want to showcase important information in your content.
How To Double Space In Google Docs
Google Docs is very similar to Microsoft Word. Chances are that if you have used one, you probably know how to use the other. Just like the above steps were pretty easy to follow, double space word in Google Docs is the same.
As long as you can follow the steps without making mistakes, you should be able to use the Double Space feature on your Google Docs.
There are two ways you can use Google Docs.
- Double Space Through The Menu Bar
- Double Space Through The Toolbar
Both of these ways are almost equal in terms of the process involved but the second way just about edges out the first in speed so I will recommend it for users who are familiar with Google Docs who want that extra speed.
Let’s get into explaining the ways.
1. Double Space Through The Menu Bar
The first step of this method is based on whether you already have the text written and you want to double space the text or you want to set the double space feature on so that as you type, it will automatically double space.
If your text is already written, you will need this first step. Highlight all or part of the text.
You will need to highlight all the text if you want the double space feature applied to all of it or highlight part of the document if that’s your preference.
Whatever you decide, as long as you’ve highlighted text, you can move to the next step.
Note: To highlight all the text in a document, use these shortcut keys (Ctrl + A).
The next step is to navigate to the top of your screen where you will find the Format option.
Click on it and from the drop-down menu that opens, choose Line Spacing.
In the Line Spacing menu, select Double.
Remember what I said about the Formatting feature in Microsoft Word, this is basically the same feature too.
When you select the “Double” option under Line Spacing under Format, your text will immediately be formatted to a double spaced text.
I have to point out something important, you can use the second step alone if you don’t have any text written down yet and you want your text to be automatically double spaced when you type.
2. Double Space Through The Toolbar
This method is considered really fast even though the method above isn’t really long too.
Here’s how it’s done.
Step 1:-
You will also need to highlight all the text if you want the double space feature applied to all of it or highlight part of the document if that’s your preference.
Decide on the text part and as long as you’ve highlighted text, you can move to the next step.
Note: To highlight all the text in a document, use these shortcut keys (Ctrl + A). Also, remember that you can skip this first step if you have a blank document.
Step 2:-
The next step is to navigate to the toolbar and find the icon for Line Spacing.
This is why the first method is advisable. If you cannot find the icon for Line Spacing, then you should use the first method.
You can usually find the Line Spacing icon by hovering on all the icons in the toolbar.
When one of them says Line Spacing, click on it.
When you click on it, you’ll have access to a drop-down menu that has four options.
The default option chosen will be the second one but what you’re looking for is the fourth option. The fourth option is – Double. Select it.
This method is pretty easier if you already know what the Line Spacing icon looks like. But overall, both of the methods are easy to use.
Double Space In Mac (Using Microsoft Word 2011)
The steps are not that different from the ones I’ve explained above but the slight differences can sometimes cause us to lose our way.
This is why I am taking the time to also explain it step by step.
To double-space text or a document using a Mac OS, you will have to follow these two steps.
Step 1:-
You will need to highlight all the text if you want the double space feature applied to all of it or highlight part of the document if that’s your preference.
Whatever you decide, as long as you’ve highlighted text, you can move to the next step.
Remember that the step above only applies when you have the text already and want to apply the double space feature.
If you do not have the text already, you should skip this step and go to step 2.
Note: To highlight all the text in a document in Mac, use these shortcut keys (Command + A).
Step 2:-
In the second step, right-click on the highlighted portion.
In the menu that opens, select Paragraph, and click on Line Spacing in the Paragraph menu.
In the Line Spacing drop-down menu, select the option 2.0 which represents Double Space. Or just directly choose double.
If you already have text highlighted and you followed the steps correctly, your text should be double spaced after the last action.
Note: You might also be asked to Single Space in some situations. You can follow the same steps above and then change the last action.
- Instead of choosing Double, Choose Single.
- Instead of choosing 2.0, choose 1.0.
FAQ
What is the difference between double spacing and other line spacing options like 1.5 or single spacing?
Double spacing inserts a full blank line between each line of text, effectively setting the line spacing to 2.0, which enhances readability for longer documents.
In contrast, single spacing (1.0) keeps lines tightly together with no extra space, ideal for compact notes, while 1.5 spacing adds half a blank line, offering a middle ground for drafts or reports where you need some breathing room without doubling the document length.
These options can be adjusted in Microsoft Word under the Paragraph dialog or in Google Docs via the Line Spacing menu to suit specific formatting needs, such as APA style requiring double spacing for essays.
How do I set double spacing as the default for all new documents in Microsoft Word?
To make double spacing your go-to setting, open a new blank document in Word, go to the Home tab, right-click on the “Normal” style in the Styles pane, and select Modify.
In the dialog box, click the Format button, choose Paragraph, and set Line Spacing to Double (or 2.0). Check the box for “New documents based on this template” before saving.
This ensures every future document starts with double-spaced text, saving time for frequent users like students or writers adhering to MLA guidelines.
Can I double space text in Microsoft Word or Google Docs on a mobile device?
Yes, both apps support mobile double spacing. In the Word mobile app (iOS or Android), select your text, tap the formatting icon (often an “A” with lines), and choose Line Spacing > 2.0.
For Google Docs on mobile, highlight the text, tap the format button (pencil icon), select Paragraph, and set Line Spacing to Double. Note that mobile interfaces might hide some options under menus, so ensure your app is updated for the latest features, especially useful for on-the-go editing of resumes or theses.
Why does my document revert to single spacing after applying double spacing in Word?
This issue often occurs due to conflicting styles or section breaks. Check if different parts of your document use varied paragraph styles by going to the Home tab and inspecting the Styles pane.
To fix, select the entire document (Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on Mac), then apply double spacing via the Paragraph dialog. If you’re copying text from another source, paste it as plain text (Ctrl+Shift+V) to avoid importing unwanted formatting. This is common in collaborative docs or when merging files for business reports.
How do I double space in other word processors like Apple Pages or LibreOffice Writer?
In Apple Pages, select your text, go to the Format sidebar, click Text, and under Spacing, set Line to 2.0 or Double. For LibreOffice Writer, highlight the content, right-click, choose Paragraph, and in the Indents & Spacing tab, set Line Spacing to Double.
These steps mirror those in Word but adapt to each app’s interface, making it straightforward for users switching between free alternatives for tasks like formatting newsletters or e-books.
What keyboard shortcuts can I use for quick double spacing in Word and Google Docs?
In Microsoft Word, highlight text and press Ctrl+2 (Windows) or Command+2 (Mac) to apply double spacing instantly.
Google Docs doesn’t have a direct shortcut for double spacing, but you can use Ctrl+A to select all, then access the menu via Alt+Shift+5 (strike-through shortcut nearby, but line spacing requires menu navigation).
For efficiency, consider adding custom shortcuts in Google Docs through Tools > Preferences if you’re handling repetitive formatting in long-form content like blog posts.
How do I remove double spacing from a document without affecting other formatting?
To revert to single spacing, select the text in Word, go to Home > Paragraph group, and click the Line and Paragraph Spacing icon, choosing 1.0. In Google Docs, highlight the area, navigate to Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing > Single.
If extra spaces persist due to manual line breaks, use Find and Replace (Ctrl+H) to search for ^p^p (two paragraph marks) and replace with ^p (one). This preserves bolding, italics, or headings, essential for cleaning up imported text in professional proposals.
Is double spacing required for specific formatting styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago?
Yes, most academic styles mandate double spacing: APA and MLA require it throughout the paper, including references, to allow for annotations; Chicago style often uses it for drafts but switches to single for final submissions.
Always check the latest guidelines (e.g., APA 7th edition) via official sites, as variations exist for block quotes or tables. Applying double spacing early prevents reformatting hassles in research papers or manuscripts.
How can I apply double spacing to tables or bullet points in Microsoft Word?
For tables, select the cells, right-click, choose Table Properties, go to the Cell tab, click Options, and adjust the internal margins or use the Paragraph dialog to set line spacing to 2.0.
For bullet points or numbered lists, highlight the list, navigate to Home > Paragraph, and select Line Spacing > 2.0. This keeps structured elements readable without altering the overall document flow, handy for creating professional outlines or data-heavy reports.
What should I do if double spacing adds unwanted extra space between paragraphs in Google Docs?
Extra paragraph space often comes from the “Add space after paragraph” setting. To fix, select your text, go to Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing, choose Double for lines, and set “Space after” to 0 pt.
If issues persist, check for hidden line breaks by enabling “Show non-printing characters” under View. This ensures clean formatting for submissions like cover letters, where precise spacing matters.
How do I double space an existing document imported from another format, like PDF or TXT, in Word?
After importing (via Insert > Object > Text from File or copy-paste), select all (Ctrl+A), go to Layout > Paragraph, and set Line Spacing to Double.
For PDFs, which may import with fixed formatting, use Word’s built-in PDF converter or tools like Adobe Acrobat to extract editable text first. This method helps convert scanned essays or articles into double-spaced versions for editing.
Can I customize line spacing beyond standard double (2.0) in word processors, and when would I need to?
Yes, in Word, under Paragraph > Line Spacing, select Multiple and enter a value like 2.5 for more than double space. In Google Docs, choose Custom Spacing and input your number.
Use this for specialized needs, such as accessibility adjustments for visually impaired readers or fitting content to exact page limits in legal documents, but stick to standards like 2.0 for most academic or professional work.
How does double spacing affect the overall page count and word density in a document?
Double spacing roughly doubles the page count compared to single spacing, reducing word density per page by about half, which makes text easier to annotate but increases printing costs.
To check impact, use Word’s Word Count tool before and after applying spacing—no change in word count, just layout. This is crucial for meeting page requirements in assignments without altering content.
What are common mistakes to avoid when applying double spacing in collaborative documents?
Avoid applying spacing inconsistently across sections, which can happen in shared Google Docs if users edit with different defaults—always select all before formatting. Don’t confuse line spacing with paragraph spacing, as extra “before/after” settings can create uneven gaps.
In Word, forgetting to update styles can lead to overrides; modify the Normal style for uniformity. These tips prevent version conflicts in team projects like group reports.
How do I double space text in web-based versions like Word Online or Google Docs alternatives such as OnlyOffice?
In Word Online, select text, click the Line Spacing icon in the Home tab, and choose 2.0. For OnlyOffice (a free Google Docs alternative), highlight content, go to Paragraph Settings, and set Line Spacing to Double. These cloud tools mirror desktop steps but may require saving changes manually, ideal for remote work on essays without installed software.
Why might double spacing not appear correctly when printing or exporting to PDF?
Printer settings or margins might compress spacing; in Word, check Layout > Margins and ensure “Exactly” isn’t selected under Line Spacing options. For PDF export, use File > Save As > PDF and verify Preserve Layout.
In Google Docs, download as PDF after previewing. This troubleshooting ensures your double-spaced thesis or manuscript prints as intended, avoiding compression artifacts.
Conclusion
Double Space Word is very important in creating quality content that readers will score high on readability.
You must always try to avoid making text all muddled up and using the Double Space Word feature is a good way to do that.
Users writing for publications or schoolwork are often asked specifically to space their words in an exact format provided by the school or publication house.
Follow the instructions to ensure your document is not rejected. You can use the steps above to follow any type of spacing you need.
Have you ever tried spacing in any of the apps above like Microsoft Word or Google Docs? Tell me and other readers which of the methods you favor and why you like the method in the comments section below.
