When yous're creating a document in Google Docs, there'south more to information technology than just the content. A properly formatted document is too of import. This tin include elements like line-spacing, paragraph styles, and of course, margins. And these types of items are especially cardinal for documents similar school essays, for example.

Here we'll prove y'all how to change margins in Google Docs online and in the mobile app.

Adjust Margins in Google Docs Online

Y'all have a couple of ways to change the margins in Google Docs online. The one you choose is up to you lot because they are both easy plenty.

Change the Page Margins Using the Ruler

The start and fastest way to change your margins is past using the ruler. If your ruler is not displayed, click View > Testify Ruler from the menu. You'll then see 1 brandish across the top and the left side.

To change the left margin, put your cursor over the superlative of the rectangle/triangle combination on the left side of the ruler. You'll see a small pointer and vertical blue line appear.

Elevate inwards or outward to decrease or increase the left margin. Be careful not to drag either the rectangle or triangle separately equally this will affect the paragraphs and not the page margin.

Change Left Margin-Google Docs

To change the right margin, put your cursor above the triangle on the right side of the ruler. When you see the arrow and bluish line, drag inward or outward to change that margin.

Change Right Margin-Google Docs

To change the top or bottom margins, put your cursor on the ruler where you come across the shaded area turn to white. This volition display a pocket-size pointer and a horizontal blue line. Then elevate up or down to increase or decrease the margin.

Change Top Margin-Google Docs

Equally y'all elevate to edit the margins using the ruler on any side, you'll run into the size (in inches) adjust every bit you move your cursor. This lets y'all be more precise. Simply for more accuracy, use the steps beneath to change the margins using the Page Setup.

Change the Page Margins Using the Page Setup

If yous want to input the specific measurements for your margins, for case, if you need one-inch margins, follow these steps.

  1. With your document open up in Google Docs, click File from the card and cull Folio setup.
  2. Enter the measurements in the boxes under the Margins column for Top, Lesser, Left, and Right.
  3. Click OK to apply the margin changes.
Change Margins-Google Docs

Gear up Default Page Margins in Google Docs

You lot can set the margins in Google Docs online to default measurements if you lot similar. This way, each time you create a new certificate, your margins volition be fix to the same size. This is convenient if you lot take specific margin sizes required for your documents.

  1. Open a certificate or create a new one where you want to apply the default margin sizes.
  2. Click File from the carte du jour and choose Page setup.
  3. Enter the measurements in the boxes under the Margins column for all iv sides.
  4. Click Ready as Default.
  5. Hitting the OK
Set Default Margins-Google Docs

When you create your side by side Bare document in Google Docs, you tin can go to File > Folio setup to verify that your margins are set to the default measurements you lot selected.

Note that setting margins to default sizes volition not apply when you create a document using a Google Docs template from the Gallery. However, you tin can all the same adjust margins for templates as described earlier.

Adjust Margins for Columns in Google Docs

If you format your certificate in columns, you tin can withal change the margins in Google Docs and take them prepare differently for each column.

Yous'll prepare the furthest left and right margins, which are technically page margins, using ane of the methods every bit above. So you can apply the ruler or the Page setup carte du jour. Simply for the within margins or column indents, y'all'll need to utilise the ruler.

Click inside your offset column and you'll see the blueish triangle on the pinnacle right. This is the right margin for that showtime column. Drag the triangle inward or outward to arrange the margin for the cavalcade.

When you click within the second column, yous'll discover that rectangle/triangle combination you employ to change the left page margin. Then place your cursor to a higher place that combo and drag inward or outward to adjust that column's margin.

Change Column Margins-Google Docs

If you use a three-column layout, you'll accept the same blue indicators on the ruler for changing your third column as well. But remember that they won't appear until yous click inside of a column.

Accommodate Margins in Google Docs on Mobile

If you lot employ the Google Docs mobile app, working with margins is slightly different. The feature does non appear in the current version of Google Docs on Android; however, information technology does announced on iOS.

So if you're an iPhone or iPad user, hither's how to change the margins in Google Docs on your device.

  1. Open your certificate in Google Docs and admission the Menu with the iii dots on the top right.
  2. Select Page Setup.
  3. Tap Margins.
  4. Select from Narrow, Default, Wide, or Custom, which are explained below.
  5. Tap Use.
Change Margins Google Docs-iPhone

Narrow: 0.5-inch margins on all iv sides.

Default: One-inch margins on all four sides.

Broad: Ane-inch margins on the top and lesser with two-inch margins on the sides.

Custom: Tap the numbers and employ the keypad to alter the margins to whatever size you like.

Adjust Margins for Columns

If you want to change the margins for columns in the Google Docs app on iOS, you'll basically edit the margins for the page equally described above and and so increase or subtract the column spacing.

Once you have the page margins set, hither's how to adjust the column spacing:

  1. Tap the Format button (upper-case letter A icon side by side to the plus sign at the meridian).
  2. Select the Layout
  3. Use the arrows side by side to Column spacing to increase or subtract the space that'southward between the columns.

Download: Google Docs for iOS (Free)

A Margin of Difference

When it comes to setting or changing margins in Google Docs, you have some pretty like shooting fish in a barrel tools to use. The ruler is super handy for quick margin edits while the Page setup settings are ideal for exact margin sizes. So employ ane, the other, or both depending on your needs at the time. And don't forget most the option to set margins by default!

With your margins sorted, here's how to double space text on Google Docs.

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About The Author

Sandy Writtenhouse (441 Articles Published)

With her BS in Information Technology, Sandy worked for many years in the IT industry equally a Project Manager, Section Manager, and PMO Lead. She then decided to follow her dream and at present writes near technology full-time.

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