How to Fix Word Mirror Margins Applying Gutter to the Wrong Margin
Question details
Users report that when configuring mirror margins in Word 2019, the gutter spacing is incorrectly applied to the top margin rather than the inside margin.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up document margins for a bound booklet or double-sided printing where inside margins require extra space for the binding.
- Observed behavior
- The gutter value affects the top margin instead of the inside margin, and the gutter position option may unexpectedly change or become completely unavailable.
Calculate the exact width required for your document's binding space before adjusting the page setup parameters.
Manually Add the Gutter Value to the Inside Margin
Bypass the Word 2019 gutter bug by setting the gutter to zero and manually increasing the inside margin by your desired gutter width.
Because this is a known rendering bug in certain builds of Microsoft Word 2019 (which typically does not affect Word 2016), the most reliable workaround is to combine the two measurements. For example, if you want a 1-inch inside margin and a 0.5-inch gutter, you should set your inside margin directly to 1.5 inches and leave the gutter field empty.
Navigate to the Layout tab on the Word ribbon and click the small dialog box launcher arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Page Setup group.
In the Margins tab, locate the Gutter field and change its value to 0 to prevent Word from applying it to the top margin.
Calculate your total required inside spacing (Inside Margin + desired Gutter). Enter this combined value into the Inside margin box.
Under the Pages section, ensure 'Mirror margins' is selected from the Multiple pages dropdown menu, then click OK to apply the changes.
Check for Microsoft Office Updates
Since this margin behavior is tied to specific versions of Word 2019, updating your Office suite may install a patch that resolves the bug.
Use WPS Writer for Bug-Free Document Formatting
If formatting bugs in Microsoft Word are interrupting your workflow, consider using WPS Office. WPS Writer is a lightweight, fully compatible word processor that handles complex layouts, mirror margins, and gutter settings flawlessly, making it the perfect free alternative.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. Your current text and formatting will load seamlessly.
- 3. Configure Margins Correctly: Navigate to the Page Layout tab to set up mirror margins and apply your gutter spacing without worrying about the Word 2019 bug.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are mirror margins used for in word processors?
Mirror margins are used to set up facing pages for double-sided documents, such as books, magazines, or bound manuals. They ensure that the inside margins of the left and right pages are wide enough to accommodate the binding without obscuring text.
Why is the gutter position option grayed out when using mirror margins?
When you select layouts like 'Mirror margins', '2 pages per sheet', or 'Book fold', Word automatically locks the gutter position to the inside edge (or binding edge) because those specific layouts dictate where the binding must go.
What is the difference between an inside margin and a gutter?
The inside margin is the standard blank space between the text and the binding edge of a page. The gutter is additional, specifically designated space added to the inside margin to compensate for the physical space taken up by the binding mechanism (like spirals or glue).
Does this mirror margin bug affect older versions like Word 2016?
Based on widespread user reports, this specific issue where the gutter applies to the top margin instead of the inside margin appears to be isolated to certain builds of Word 2019 and does not typically occur in Word 2016.
