How to Remove Extra Space Between Words in Microsoft Word

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Method 1: Find and Delete Extra Spaces in Microsoft Word Using Find and Replace

The first obvious way is to do it manually since you wouldn’t want automation to cause errors. But, to fix those spacing errors, you’ll need Word to locate them first. Afteridentifying the locations, update the spacing using the replace function.

Step 1:Launch theWordapp.

Step 2:In Microsoft Word, click on thedrop-downbeside Find at the top-right corner of the ribbon.

Step 3:SelectAdvanced Findfrom the options and launch theFind and Replacebox.

Step 4:On the Find and Replace box, click on theFindtab.

Step 5:Place your cursor within theFind Whatfield, and tap yourspacebar twiceto add two spaces. Note that theFind Whatfield will still appear blank, but you will see the space in the box.

Step 6:Click theFind Nextbutton to identify the extra spaces within your Word document. The Word cursor will highlight where the spaces appear more than once in the document.

Step 7:At the top of the Find and Replace, click theReplacetab.

Step 8:Place your cursor within theReplace withfield > tap yourspacebaronce to signify a single space.

Step 9:At the bottom of the Find and Replace box, clickReplaceorReplace Allto change the document spacing from double to single.

Step 10:Close thedialog boxafter Word prompts you that the replacements have been done.

This method requires you to check the document consciously. But if you want Word to do that automatically, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Method 2: Find and Delete Extra Spaces in Microsoft Word Using Proofing Settings

You can update the proofing settings to lock the type of spacing in your Word document. So, whenever you make an error, Word’s spell check will automatically flag it. As such, you can update the Word document as you type instead of retrospectively, like in the Find and Replace method.

Step 1:Launch Word.

Step 2:Click on theFiletab at the top left of the Microsoft Office Ribbon.

Step 3:Scroll to the bottom of the File menu and click onMore Optionsto reveal a collapsed menu.

Step 4:ClickOptions.

Step 5:On the left of the Word Options pop-up, click theProofingtab.

Step 6:From the Proofing settings, scroll to theWhen correcting spelling and grammar in Wordsection.

Step 7:Tick the boxes besideMark grammar errors as you typeandCheck grammar with spelling.

Step 8:Click theSettingsbutton beside Writing Style to launch the Grammar Settings box.

Step 9:Scroll through the options in the Grammar Settings box until you reachSpacing. Uncheck the box next toSpacing.

Step 10:Scroll to thePunctuation Conventionssection.

Step 11:Check the drop-down besideSpace between sentences.

Step 12:Choose your preferred spacing between sentences and clickOKat the bottom of the window to save your changes.

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Last updated on 29 May, 2024

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