Double Space in Google Docs
There are several ways to double space a Google Docs document on a computer, but be aware that mobile phones may or may not include the option. If you attempt to follow these instructions on a mobile phone and cannot find the option described, move on to another method, or refer to the Tips section.
Contents
Steps
Using the Top Menu
- Select the portion you wish to double space. If you click anywhere within a paragraph, that entire paragraph will be affected when you change the spacing. If you wish to change the spacing of your entire document, select the entire document.
- You may select the entire document automatically by using the Edit → Select all option in the Google Doc menu bar.
- Each line in a paragraph must have the same spacing. If you only want to change the spacing for certain lines, you will need to separate them into their own paragraph.
- Reveal the top menu bar if necessary. The Google Doc menu bar is a horizontal series of words listed just below the name of your document, beginning with the word File. If you do not see this bar, it may be hidden. Try clicking the double ^ symbol in the top right corner of your document to reveal it. Alternatively, hold down ctrl+Shift+F on your keyboard.
- Click the word Format in the Google Doc menu bar. Click the Format button on the menu bar. A drop down list of options should appear beneath it.
- Note this is not the same as your browser's menu bar, which is located at the very top of the screen. The Google Docs menu bar is lower down, within your browser window.
- Move your cursor over Line Spacing on the drop-down menu. The Line Spacing option is located approximately halfway down the menu. You may either click it, or simply move your cursor over it and wait for more options to appear.
- Select Double. The new menu that appears has several options determining how widely to space your text. Select Double to double space the document. If you are unsatisfied with the appearance of your double spaced document, try 1.5 or enter a Custom spacing... instead.
- There may be a check mark next to one of the options, showing the current spacing of the selected text.
Using the Line Spacing Icon
- Select the text to double space. Click anywhere in the paragraph you wish to double space, or select the entire document by holding down cmd+A on your keyboard.
- Identify the grey toolbar. The toolbar is near the top of the document, but below the name of the document and the menu bars. It includes a long series of symbols on a grey background, from an icon of a printer on the far left to a double ^ symbol on the far right.
- Find the Line Spacing icon on this toolbar. The Line Spacing icon looks like a series of horizontal lines representing text, next to a vertical arrow pointing both up and down. If you do not see it, examine each icon starting from the right and moving left. It is located in the right half of the toolbar.
- Click the Line Spacing icon and select Double. Click this icon and select Double on the drop down menu. You may also select a spacing in between single and double, such as 1.15 or 1.5. You may enter a different spacing using the Custom spacing... option in this same drop down menu.
Making Double Space the Default for New Documents
- Open a double spaced document. Make sure this document has the text settings you want to use most frequently. If you have altered the font, or added styles such as bold or italic, those may be set as default settings for all new documents as well.
- Open the "Normal text" menu. Click on any piece of text of ordinary size, not a large title or header. Select the Normal text button in the grey toolbar directly above your document's page.
- Follow the path to find the right option. On the drop down menu, find the larger Normal text button directly beneath the first. Directly to the right of this larger button, locate and click the → symbol. Finally, select the Update 'Normal text' to match button.
- Create a new document to test. Your Google Docs should now consider double spacing a "Normal text" style. Create a new document and start typing to confirm that your changes were successfully saved.
- Old documents will not have their style changed unless you select Apply 'Normal text', located in the same menu as the "update" option.
Tips
- If your Google Docs phone app or phone operating system does not include line spacing options, there may be a solution, but success is not guaranteed. Log into Google Docs on a computer and follow the method for "Making Double Space the Default." Go online with your phone to update this setting, then use the Apply 'Normal text' option to change a document to double space.
