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How to Save Default Line Spacing Changes in Word for Mac Templates
Question details
The user needs to permanently change the default line spacing for new blank templates in Word for Mac, as paragraph settings are not sticking for all styles.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Setting up a default blank template with preferred line spacing for all new documents.
- Observed behavior
- Line spacing changes made via the Paragraph dialog only apply to the Normal style, causing other styles in new documents to retain old spacing settings.
Before making changes to the Normal template, ensure you have closed all other active documents in Word for Mac to prevent conflicting saves to the template file.
Modify Word Styles and Update the Normal Template
Update the specific Word styles used in your documents and save these changes directly to the Normal template so all future documents inherit the correct spacing.
When you change line spacing using just the Paragraph dialog, Word for Mac often only updates the currently active Normal style. To ensure all text inherits your preferred spacing, you must modify the underlying styles and commit them to the template.
Launch Word for Mac, open a new blank document, and click on the 'Styles Pane' button located on the Home tab.
Hover over the style you want to change (such as 'Normal' or 'Body Text'), click the dropdown arrow, and select 'Modify Style'.
In the Modify Style dialog, locate the formatting section or click 'Format' in the bottom corner, then select 'Paragraph' to set your desired line spacing.
Check the box at the bottom of the dialog that says 'Add to template' or 'New documents based on this template'. Click OK to apply and save the changes.
Set Default Line Spacing Easily in WPS Office
WPS Writer provides a straightforward way to set default line spacing and paragraph formatting for all your future documents without navigating complex style inheritance rules. It is fully compatible with Word documents on your Mac.
- 1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open a new blank document.
- 2. Access Paragraph Settings: Right-click anywhere on the blank page and select 'Paragraph' from the context menu, or find it under the Home tab.
- 3. Set Line Spacing: In the Paragraph dialog box, adjust the 'Line Spacing' dropdown to your preferred setting (e.g., 1.5 lines or Multiple).
- 4. Save as Default: Click the 'Default' button at the bottom of the Paragraph dialog box to seamlessly apply this spacing to all new blank documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my line spacing revert back to normal when I start a new Word document?
If you only change line spacing via the Paragraph menu without clicking 'Set as Default' or 'Add to template', Word applies the change only to the current document. You must modify the underlying Normal style and save it to the Normal.dotm template for it to stick.
Where is the Normal.dotm template located on a Mac?
In Word for Mac, the Normal.dotm template is typically hidden in the user Library folder. You can usually find it at ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates.
Can I reset the default line spacing back to Word's original settings?
Yes. You can either open the Normal style, revert the line spacing to the default (typically 1.08 or Single), and check 'Add to template', or you can close Word, delete the Normal.dotm file, and let Word generate a fresh default template upon restart.
Does modifying the Normal template affect my existing documents?
No, changing the Normal template only applies to new blank documents created after the change. Existing documents retain the formatting they had when they were originally created.
