Office Settings & Configuration

How to Display Margins and the Ruler in Word on a Tablet

Rana Garcia Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to locate and utilize the ruler and margin settings within the Microsoft Word application on a tablet.

How to Display Margins and the Ruler in Word on a Tablet

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Android / Samsung tablet
Scenario: Adjusting page layout and margin formatting while editing a document on a tablet device.
Observed behavior: The tablet interface provides fewer formatting controls than the desktop version, making it difficult to locate the ruler and margin options.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Word app is updated to the latest version from your device's app store, as available interface options and layout features can vary by app version.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable the Ruler from the View Tab

Check the View tab on your tablet's ribbon menu to see if the ruler option is supported in your current app version.

Tablet versions of Microsoft Word feature a simplified interface designed for touch screens. Because of this, certain layout tools like the ruler might be hidden or entirely unavailable depending on your specific device and Microsoft 365 subscription status.

Open the Document

Launch the Microsoft Word app on your tablet and open the document you wish to edit.

Access the Ribbon

Tap the 'Edit' icon (often represented by an 'A' with a pencil) at the top of the screen to expand the main ribbon menu.

Switch to the View Tab

Tap the current tab name (which defaults to 'Home') and select 'View' from the dropdown list.

Toggle the Ruler

Look for a 'Ruler' option or checkbox. If your version supports it, tap to activate it and display the ruler across your document.

Limited Tablet Functionality: If you do not see the Ruler option in the View tab, your specific version of Word for Android does not support this feature. You may need to use a desktop application for precise page measurements.

Solution 2

Adjust Margins Using the Layout Menu

While the visual ruler might be missing, you can still adjust margin sizes using the preset options in the Layout tab.

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Experience Full Document Control on Tablets with WPS Office

Microsoft Word on tablets often lacks advanced layout controls. Switch to WPS Office for a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative that offers a familiar desktop-like experience on your mobile device, making it easy to adjust margins and rulers.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your tablet.
2. Open Your Document: Launch the app and open your existing Word documents directly without losing any formatting.
3. Access Layout Tools: Navigate to the View and Page Layout tabs to easily access rulers and adjust custom margins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the ruler in my Word tablet app?

The Microsoft Word app for Android and iOS is a highly simplified version of the desktop software. Depending on your tablet's screen size, OS version, and Microsoft subscription, the ruler feature may be hidden under the View tab or entirely unavailable.

Can I set custom margins in Word on a Samsung tablet?

Typically, the mobile and tablet versions of Word limit you to preset margin options (such as Normal, Narrow, or Wide) located under the Layout tab. Customizing margins to exact custom measurements usually requires the desktop version of the software.

How do I change the layout view on my tablet to see page edges?

To get a better visual of your page edges and margins, tap the View tab in the ribbon menu and ensure 'Print Layout' is selected instead of 'Mobile View'.

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