Change Double Space Default in Word

Change the double space default in Word 2007 with these simple steps. Your new documents will be single space from now on.

How to Change the Double Space Default in Word 2007 Back to Single Space:

1. Open any Word document

2. On the Home tab, go to the Paragraph box

3. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner of the Paragraph box

4. Under Spacing, change the before and after boxes to "0"

5. Under Line Spacing, change to "Single"

6. Under At, leave the box blank

7. Click the Default button at the very bottom to apply to all future documents

How Not to Change the Double Space Default in Word 2007 Back to Single Space: I initially wasted more time than I wish to confess trying to change the default in the Styles box where there's an option called "Set as Default" but it never really changed the spacing on new documents. This still makes sense to me because that's where line spacing options are listed but it never works. I also looked at some forum where a Microsoft employee posted directions for changing the default but it was several pages long and I never did figure out what she was saying. I harbor some suspicions that this has been a Microsoft tactic similar to that grinning paper clip. Everyone I know changes their documents back to single spacing and never mentioned wanting a creepy paper clip blocking their screen so I'm still stumped why Microsoft does these things. If you're going to make a major change and you've got a billion dollars, wouldn't you survey a couple users to see if they hate the idea?

More Information About Word 2007 Spacing: I don't have any major complaints but the best directions above for changing the default to single space came from The Washburn University School of Law which also has step by step pictures if you need them. Plus, they've got instructions if you want to change the default fonts back to the old Times New Roman 12 point and Arial 12 point. They charitably suggest that Microsoft changed the default line spacing and paragraph spacing to improve readability. I would still argue that no spacing is normal.

Having changed the double space default in Word 2007 back to single space, I look forward to saving a couple seconds per document not having to do it each time. It adds up.

Sources: Washburn University School of Law