5 Ways to Change the Default Page Layout in Microsoft Word

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Method 1: Change Page Size

Microsoft Word uses the document size and layout as A4 by default. However, you can change it to Letter, Tabloid, A3, A5, B4, B5, Executive, Legal, and Statement, entirely depending on the type of document you use often.

Step 1:SelectLayouton the menu bar. Expand theSizemenu.

Step 2:Select one of the default sizes from the list.

Set a Specific Size as Default on Microsoft Word.

Step 1:Expand theSize menuinLayout.

Step 2:SelectMore Paper Sizes.

Step 3:Expand thePaper Sizemenu, setheightandwidth, check live preview, and select whether to apply the change to the entire document or go forward from this point.

Step 4:SelectSet As Defaultand hitOK.

After this, Microsoft Word will remember your choice and use the specified page layout for future documents.

Method 2: Change Document Orientation

You can also change the default layout to landscape from portrait or vice versa.

ClickLayoutat the top,expandOrientation, and selectLandscape.

Method 3:Change Document Margins

You can select one of the preset margins or set custom margins for a Word document. Let’s check both options.

Use Preset Margins

Open theLayoutmenu and expand theMarginsmenu. You have five options to pick from.

You can check each option’s top, bottom, right, and left margins and the live preview.

Use Custom Margins

Step 1:Open theLayoutmenu and expand theMarginsmenu. ClickCustom Margins.

Step 2:Set top, bottom, left, and right margins. Click theGutterposition to include additional space inside the margins you’ve set. Check the live preview and hitOK.

Note:If you intend to use the same margins and orientation for all your documents, hit the’ Set As Default’ button.

Method 4: Change Layout in Page Setup

Your ideal Word page setup is complete with layout customization. Let’s check all available options to customize it.

Step 1:Open theLayoutmenu and expand theMarginsmenu. ClickCustom Margins.

Step 2:Go to theLayoutmenu.

Step 3:Tweak margins for header and footer from the edge, check vertical alignment, add line numbers and borders, and clickOK.

Ensure to check the live preview before setting your Word document as default.

Method 5: Use Column Layout

Are you writing a Word document for a magazine or newspaper? Try thecolumn layoutfor better readability to end users. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1:Head to theLayoutmenu in Microsoft Word. Expand theColumnsmenu.

Step 2:Select one of the default column styles or make custom changes from the More columns menu.

Bonus: Save a Page Layout as a Template

After making the relevant changes to your page layout, you cansave it as a templatewith a specific name and reason.

Step 1:Open a blank document and make all the changes to the page layout. HitFileat the top left corner, selectSave As, and clickBrowse.

Step 2:Expand theSave As Typedialog box and selectWord Template.

Step 3:Name it and hit theSavebutton.

You can find your Word template from theNewmenu and click on thePersonalmenu while creating a new document.

Also Read:How to insert and edit a page border in Microsoft Word

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Last updated on 18 April, 2024

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