Formatting Issues

How to Change Word Character Spacing by 0.1 Point

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to adjust character spacing in a text document by precise 0.1-point increments.

How to Adjust Word Character Spacing by 0.1 Point

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting text that requires exact typographic control over spacing between characters.
Observed behavior: The default Font dialog in Word does not provide a simple increment setting or up/down arrow step for 0.1 points, requiring alternative methods to apply this exact spacing quickly.

Before you start

Ensure the Developer tab is enabled in your application's ribbon options so you can access the Visual Basic Editor to create the necessary macros.

Solution 1Recommended

Use VBA Macros for Precise 0.1-Point Spacing Adjustments

Create custom macros to quickly expand or condense selected text by exactly 0.1 points with a single click.

Since the default Font dialog does not allow you to easily step character spacing by 0.1 points using the UI arrows, utilizing VBA macros is the most efficient way to achieve this precise adjustment repeatedly.

Open the VBA Editor

Press ALT + F11 on your keyboard to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor.

Insert the Macro Code

Insert a new module and paste the code to expand spacing: Sub SpaceAddPoint1() Selection.Font.Spacing = Selection.Font.Spacing + 0.1 End Sub.

Add the Condensing Macro

Below the first macro, paste the code to condense spacing: Sub SpaceSubtractPoint1() Selection.Font.Spacing = Selection.Font.Spacing - 0.1 End Sub.

Save to Normal.dotm

Save the macros in your Normal.dotm template so they remain available for all future documents, then close the VBA Editor.

Add to Quick Access Toolbar

Right-click the Quick Access Toolbar, select 'Customize Quick Access Toolbar', and add your new macros as clickable buttons for easy access.

Use VBA Macros for Precise 0.1-Point Spacing Adjustments

Macro Shortcuts: You can also assign keyboard shortcuts to these macros via the 'Customize Ribbon' settings for even faster formatting.

Solution 2

Create a Custom Character Style with 0.1-Point Spacing

Set up a dedicated character style if you frequently apply a specific 0.1-point spacing adjustment to specific types of text.

Easily Adjust Character Spacing by 0.1 Point in WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a highly intuitive interface that allows you to easily set precise character spacing adjustments. You can seamlessly open your Word documents and apply exact typographic formatting without needing complex macros.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to format.
2. Select the Text: Highlight the specific text or paragraph where you want to apply the custom character spacing.
3. Access Font Settings: Right-click the selected text and choose 'Font' from the context menu, or press Ctrl+D.
4. Navigate to Character Spacing: Switch to the 'Character Spacing' tab located at the top of the Font dialog box.
5. Apply Exact Values: Select 'Expanded' or 'Condensed' from the Spacing dropdown, manually type '0.1' in the 'By' field, and click OK.

Perfectly compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx).User-friendly Font dialog for exact typography control.Free, lightweight, and fast alternative for daily document processing.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adjust character spacing using a default keyboard shortcut in Word?

Word does not have a built-in keyboard shortcut for a 0.1-point character spacing adjustment. You will need to create a custom macro and manually assign it to a keyboard shortcut or add it to the Quick Access Toolbar.

Why can't I just use the up and down arrows in the Font dialog box for 0.1-point increments?

While you can manually type '0.1 pt' in the Font dialog box, the default up and down arrows are programmed to step by larger increments (usually 1 pt or 0.5 pt). Macros automate this precise 0.1 increment so you do not have to type it manually every time.

Will these spacing macros work on all my future Word documents?

Yes, as long as you make sure to save the VBA macros in your Normal.dotm template, they will be loaded globally and remain available for all your new and existing Word documents.

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