Office Settings & Configuration

How to Permanently Change Default Margins in Microsoft Word

Ayan Masood Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to configure custom document margins and set them as the default layout for all newly created documents in Microsoft Word.

How to Permanently Change Default Margins in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating new documents and wanting to avoid manually adjusting margin sizes every time a new file is opened.
Observed behavior: New documents automatically load with the standard default margins instead of the user's preferred custom page layout.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Word open with a blank document. Determine the exact measurements (top, bottom, left, right) you want to use for your default page layout before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Custom Margins as Default via Page Setup

This method updates the Normal template in Word, ensuring that every future blank document you create will automatically use your specified margin preferences.

By applying margin changes to the default template, you eliminate the repetitive task of configuring margins for each new file. Please note that this will not alter the margins of existing documents.

Open a New Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open a new blank document to access the main ribbon and layout settings.

Navigate to Custom Margins

Go to the 'Layout' tab on the top ribbon. Click on 'Margins' and select 'Custom Margins' at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

Adjust Margin Settings

In the Page Setup dialog box, enter your desired size measurements for the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right margins.

Apply and Set as Default

Click the 'Set As Default' button at the bottom left of the Page Setup window. When prompted, confirm that you want to apply these changes to all documents based on the Normal template by clicking 'Yes'.

Set Custom Margins as Default via Page Setup

Template Successfully Updated: Your default template is now updated. Every new document you create from now on will automatically apply your new margin settings.

Seamless Word Processing

Easily Set Default Margins in WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a streamlined way to format documents just like Microsoft Word. You can quickly configure and save custom default margins for all your future documents using WPS Writer, for free.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and create a new blank document in WPS Writer.
2. Access Page Layout: Navigate to the 'Page Layout' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Margins', and select 'Custom Margins'.
3. Save as Default: Enter your preferred margin values, click the 'Default' button in the lower-left corner of the Page Setup window, and confirm to apply it to all new documents.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) file formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly on all devicesIntuitive interface for fast page layout configurationFree to use with comprehensive document editing features

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my default margins not saving in Word?

If your default margins keep resetting, your Normal.dotm template might be locked or restricted by third-party add-ins. Try opening Word as an administrator, or disabling COM add-ins before saving the default margins again.

What are the standard default margins in Word?

The standard default margin setting in Microsoft Word is 'Normal,' which applies exactly 1-inch margins to the top, bottom, left, and right of the document page.

Can I set different margins for specific pages only?

Yes. You can apply different margins to specific sections by selecting the text, going to Custom Margins, and choosing 'Apply to: Selected text' or 'This point forward' from the dropdown menu instead of clicking 'Set As Default'.

How do I reset the margins back to the original default?

Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins, set all four sides back to 1 inch, click 'Set As Default,' and confirm the change to update your global template back to the standard Microsoft Word settings.

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