Line spacing in Word 365?

Modify the style that you apply to the text (typically Normal style, but Body Text style may be used instead). In the Modify Style dialog, click the Format button and choose Paragraph. Set the Line Spacing to 1.2 lines or a specific number of points.

Actually, 1.2 times the font size is not always "correct". It works for Times New Roman, but that's no longer the most common font.

Dear respected sodlei,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, to set typographically correct line spacing (1.2x text font size) in Word 365,

first you may need to select the text or entire document. and click the small arrow icon next to the Line Spacing button to open the "Paragraph" dialog box, and navigate to the "Indents and Spacing" tab. In the "Line spacing" dropdown menu, choose "Exactly" and enter the value "1.2" (for 1.2x line spacing).

In your case, you want 1.2 times the text font size. If your font size is, for example, 12 points, you'll set the line spacing to 14.4 points (12 points * 1.2).

We appreciate your understanding that sometimes the initial suggestions may not resolve the problem very soon. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation.

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad

In Word, variable line spacing is always dependent on the font. You can't control how Word interprets the information built into the font, unless you specify "Exactly" and set a fixed value in points.

In other words, if line spacing is 1.2, you know that it is 20% more space than "Single," but you don't know for sure what "Single" actually means. Testing with different fonts will illustrate this.

1.2 lines would be excessive even for TNR because TNR has that amount of line spacing ("leading") built into the font, so that the spacing for 10-point type is Exactly 12 points.

1.2 lines would be excessive even for TNR because TNR has that amount of line spacing ("leading") built into the font, so that the spacing for 10-point type is Exactly 12 points.

That says something about how long it's been since I used TNR for anything. :-)

Since I'm still using Word 2003 for almost everything, I'm also still using TNR and Arial for almost everything. <g>

Hi respected sodlei,

I'm writing a follow up this case, and I haven’t received any information from you, may I know have you checked above reply? Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.

Have a good day and stay safe 😊

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad

I am not using Word 2003, but I do stick with the Times New Roman font. I find it suitable for most texts. :-)

It's very compact and very readable, and it's one you can be pretty sure will be on anyone's system, no matter how old.

Answer to Waqas Muhammad

Thanks for all the replies

I have worked with the production of text both in writing and layout printing since the mid-80s.

Back then in the 80s, it was professional typesetters who set the texts either using loose types or photo typesetters. Back then, the typographical rules were a holy grail.

But then came i.a. PageMaker and digital printing processes that made the proud professional category lose its footing and the respect for the typographic rules disappeared...

I have always lived with a respect for typography. I immediately decided that even if I created my texts myself in PageMaker or Ventura, I would do everything to ensure that my printed articles followed the typographical rules. I therefore learned to work with all the settings in PM and Ventura that controlled line and paragraph spacing, etc. Even the first versions of PM and Ventura had setting options taken from the photo setters...

It was thus possible in PM and Ventura to create texts that corresponded to the typographical rules. I also worked hard trying to get the talented typesetters (footsetters) to see that they could continue to work in PageMaker and get the same professional results they created in the phototypesetting machines. Unfortunately, not many in this proud professional group believed in being able to relearn the new technology!

The decline in respect for typographic rules was felt quite directly in print media/newspapers where the journalists themselves could send the texts directly to the digital printing process.

Today I am an 80-year-old man. Who again works with texts to be printed (Memoirs and novels). Now I work with MS Word 2003 and 365. Therefore, I want to make sure as far as it is possible that my works before I print them as pdfs follow the typographical rules...

I have received some tips about setting options in MS Word through the answers in this forum, but I have also found a lot via Google and Youtube.

I now have one last question. Does anyone of you have a list of what line spacing applies to different fonts? I have understood that there is a difference between different fonts and TNR has 1.2 x the font size.

Take Care //Sodlei