double spaced essay in docs

How to Double Space in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Doubling the space between lines in Google Docs can make your document easier to read and more professional-looking. Here’s a quick overview of how to do it: Open your document, go to the Format menu, select Line spacing, then choose Double. And just like that, you’ve got a double-spaced document! Simple, right?

Step by Step Tutorial: Double Spacing in Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that double spacing refers to the amount of space between lines of text. It’s a common requirement for academic papers and other formal documents. By following these steps, you’ll be able to set your document’s line spacing to double with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Open your Google Doc

Open the document you want to double space.

When you open your Google Doc, make sure you’re logged into the correct account, especially if you’re using a shared computer or have multiple Google accounts.

Step 2: Click on the Format menu

Look for the Format menu at the top of the page and click on it.

The Format menu is located in the toolbar at the top of your Google Doc, alongside other options like File, Edit, and View.

Step 3: Select Line spacing

In the dropdown menu, choose the Line spacing option.

Line spacing is the fourth option from the top in the Format dropdown menu. Hovering over it will reveal additional spacing options.

Step 4: Choose Double

From the Line spacing options, select Double.

Double spacing will immediately apply to your entire document unless you have specific text highlighted, in which case, it will only apply to that selection.

After completing these steps, your Google Doc will have double the space between each line of text. This can make your document appear more organized and easier to read, especially if it’s text-heavy.

Tips for Double Spacing in Google Docs

• If you’re working on an academic paper, check with your instructor to ensure double spacing is the correct format.
• You can also use custom spacing if double spacing doesn’t meet your needs. Just select Custom spacing from the Line spacing dropdown menu.
• Remember that double spacing applies to the entire document unless you highlight specific text to apply it to.
• Use keyboard shortcuts to save time. After highlighting the text, press Ctrl + 2 (on Windows) or Command + 2 (on Mac) to double space.
• If you’re collaborating with others on a document, let them know you’ve changed the spacing so they can adjust their contributions accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does double spacing in google docs apply to paragraphs as well.

Double spacing affects the space between lines within a paragraph, not the space between separate paragraphs.

Can I double space a specific section of my document?

Yes, you can. Highlight the text you want to double space, then follow the same steps for double spacing.

Will double spacing affect the formatting of my bullet points and numbered lists?

Double spacing will also apply to lists, increasing the space between each item.

Can I set double spacing as my default for all new Google Docs?

As of now, there’s no way to set double spacing as the default for new documents. You’ll need to change it manually for each new document.

If I share my document with someone, will they see it as double spaced too?

Yes, once you’ve applied double spacing to your document, anyone with access to the doc will see the double spacing.

• Open your Google Doc
• Click on the Format menu
• Select Line spacing
• Choose Double

Mastering the art of double spacing in Google Docs is a valuable skill that can significantly enhance the readability and professionalism of your documents. Whether you’re a student, educator, or professional, understanding how to adjust line spacing is essential. The steps outlined above provide a straightforward method to achieve the desired double spacing, making your documents easier on the eyes and more aligned with formal writing standards.

Remember, while double spacing is a common requirement, it’s not always the go-to for every document. Always consider the purpose of your text and the preferences of your audience or institution. Moreover, familiarizing yourself with other formatting tools in Google Docs will only expand your capabilities as a proficient user of the platform.

Keep practicing, and soon enough, you’ll be able to maneuver through these formatting options with ease and confidence. For further exploration, Google Docs offers a plethora of other features and tools that can help elevate your documents to new heights. So go on, double space to your heart’s content, and discover even more ways to make your work stand out!

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.

Read his full bio here.

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How To Double Space In Google Docs Or Microsoft Word

Ah, the double space, the classic savior of lazy essay writers. For those born after the '90s, you may not believe this, but there was a time when double-spacing school papers wasn't the norm. Sometimes you'd even get in trouble, depending on your teachers and school policy. Thankfully, we don't live in those dark ages anymore. Double-spacing makes papers easier to write for students (suddenly, one page of text becomes two pages) and easier to read for teachers. It's a win-win.

Since double-spacing has become the standard for most computer-made papers, essays, and whatever else, it goes without saying that the most prominent word processor apps like Google Docs and Microsoft Word possess the functionality in an easily-accessible format. All you need to do is make a few quick tweaks to your document's paragraph settings, and you can give your text lines the extra spacing they need to look neat and professional, not to mention take up more of the page.

How to double space in Microsoft Word

Before the age of cloud-based word processors and storage, Microsoft Word was the word processor of choice for all PC users. In that bygone age, you didn't need a subscription to use Office. From then until now, the double-spacing process has remained essentially the same.

Open a Word document in Microsoft Word for desktop or the web.

Switch to the Design menu.

Click the Paragraph Spacing button in the toolbar.

In the Built-in section, click Double.

If you're using an older version of Word, you may not have a Design menu. In this case, click the Paragraph button on the Home tab toolbar (up and down arrows next to three horizontal lines) and click 2.0.

Quick side note, if you set the spacing when you first create a document, it will remain on that setting for as long as you're editing. If you want to change the spacing midway through your work, you'll need to highlight all of your written text, then change the spacing for it to take effect. You can also change the spacing in parts of the document by only highlighting part of the text.

How to double space in Google Docs

When Google Docs came out in 2006, you'd better believe it was popular, providing more or less the same features as Word in a free online package. It's still one of the top contending word processors, and it can double space with the best of 'em.

Open a document in the Google Docs web or desktop app.

Highlight all of the text lines you want to change the spacing on.

Click the Format button in the top taskbar.

Select Line & paragraph spacing.

Click Double.

Besides single, 1.15, 1.5, and double spacing, Google Docs also lets you set custom parameters for your line spacing using the Custom spacing button. You can use this for stylistic purposes if you like. Fair warning, though, don't try to futz with the spacing to make your page count longer. Teachers can still sniff out that old trick no matter how many years go by.

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How to double-space in Google Docs

Whether for personal preference or as a requirement for the APA or MLA writing style, we’ll show you how to double-space in Google Docs.

Double-space in Google Docs on the web

Double-space in google docs in the mobile app.

The nice part about this format in Google Docs is that you can apply it to the entire document or only selected blocks of text. Plus, you can double-space in Google Docs on the web and in the mobile app.

What You Need

Web browser

Google account

Google Docs mobile app (optional)

Quick answer: If you're on the web client and want to get things done fast, all you need to do is click "Format" at the top, go to "Line & paragraph spacing" and then select "Double".

Read on for a more visual guide and to learn more about the procedure.

Head to Google Docs on the web , sign in, and open your document or create a new one.

Step 1: If you already have text on the page, select all relevant text in your document that you want to transform to double-spacing.

Step 2: Go to the toolbar and select the Line and paragraph spacing button or go to the Format menu and choose Line and paragraph spacing .

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Step 3: Select Double using either the drop-down or pop-out menu.

Step 4: Your selected text or new document now have double-spacing applied. You can follow the same steps to choose a different line spacing option later if you like.

If you use the Google Docs mobile app on Android or iPhone, you can apply double-spacing to your document there as well. Open the app and follow these steps.

Step 1: Create a new document or open an existing one. Select the Edit button (pencil icon) on the bottom right to enter edit mode.

Step 2: If you have existing text that you want to double-space, select it. You can tap and hold a word on Android or double-tap one on iPhone and then drag the small blue circle through the text.

If this is a new document without text, move onto the next step.

Step 3: Tap the Format icon at the top, which is an uppercase A with four lines on Android and an uppercase underlined A on iPhone.

Step 4: In the formatting tools that appear at the bottom, select Paragraph .

Step 5: Next to Line spacing , tap the Arrow on the far right pointing up until you reach 2 or 2.00 .

You can then select a spot in your document or the Format button to close the tools at the bottom.

Follow the same process to choose a different line spacing option later if needed.

Now that you know how to double-space in Google Docs, find out how to apply strikethrough in Google Docs or how to select more than one portion of text .

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