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General discussion

Decrease space between lines in Word 2007

May 19, 2009 9:08PM PDT

I'm trying to increase the space between lines in a MS Word 2007 document. I have used the special button, but with no results - I want to make the space even smaller. [please see picture]

Any suggestions? Thanks!

http://i41.tinypic.com/2h7kj6a.png

Discussion is locked

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Have you tried
May 19, 2009 10:00PM PDT

the dialog box options?

http://www.uwec.edu/HELP/Word07/fmt-para.htm#line

Looking at your image, I just wonder if the problem is related to the larger size of the font. This is obviously a header so I wonder if there has to be a minimum clearance between lines.

I just tried this in a document in my Word 2002 XP, large heading on two lines, and when I accessed Format > Paragraph, the "Spacing before" and "Spacing after" were both set to 0 pts. I couldn't reduce tat line spacing.

Mark

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Three possibilities
May 20, 2009 9:21AM PDT

There are four things that can affect the spacing between adjacent lines:
1) The Font Size
2) The Line Height
3) The Before Paragraph Spacing, and
4) The After Paragraph Spacing.

With 1) the font size will, of course, adjust automatically when you change the font size. However, you can force it through a range of sizes. When the line height is less than the the actual font, you may notice a clipping of a portion of the characters on the screen. The character will, or should, print in full, though (there should be no clipping in the characters on the hardcopy). It is an experimental process to achieve the effect you might want.

With 2) (Line Height) See the points mentioned in the above paragraph.

With 3) (Before Paragraph Spacing) The line spacing ABOVE the current paragraph is adjustable. That will show up as a gap only when the current line is preceded by a line of text. I mention this because a line of text at the top of a page does not get affected by this Before Paragraph setting.

With 4) (After Paragraph Spacing) The line spacing BELOW the current paragraph is adjustable. That will show up as a gap only to the next line. I mention this because a line of text at, or near the bottom of a page does not get affected by this After Paragraph setting, when there is not line of text that follows.

In the example you have shown us, it is unknown which of the last three settings is impacting the distance you are experiencing. It could be any of them. You may have to experiment to get the distance you desire.

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Try this
Oct 9, 2011 2:06AM PDT

If you go to the home tab, then expand the paragraph box (little square on the bottom right of the inset box), you can play around with the spacing until it is at the required sizing and spacing. Printer credit is the devils work! Wink