How to Create Blank Address Labels in Microsoft Word

To create a sheet of blank address labels in Word, open Mailings > Labels, choose the label brand and product number that match your label sheets, select Full page of the same label, and choose New Document. Word makes an editable page of empty label cells that you can print or fill in by hand.

What You’ll Need

A desktop version of Microsoft Word. The steps below are for Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows; the main commands are also available in recent Word for Mac versions.
A pack of blank label sheets, or the label brand and product number printed on its packaging. Matching these details helps Word set the correct label size and spacing.
A printer that supports the label sheets, if you plan to print the blank page. Check the label package for printer compatibility, such as laser or inkjet.
Plain paper for a test print. This lets you check alignment before using a label sheet.

Step-by-Step

Open a new document. Start Word and choose File > New, then select Blank document. You can also begin in a document you already have, but a new file keeps the label layout separate and makes it easier to save as a reusable blank sheet.
Open the Labels tool. Select the Mailings tab on the ribbon, then choose Labels. Word opens the Envelopes and Labels window. If the window opens on the Envelopes tab, click the Labels tab. On recent Word for Mac versions, look under Mailings > Labels; in some older releases, the command is under Tools > Labels.
Open the label settings. In the Labels tab, choose Options. Under Label vendors, select the brand shown on your package, such as Avery, if it is listed. Then select the matching Product number. The code matters: two products from the same brand can have different label dimensions, columns, or gaps.
Use a custom size if your product is not listed. In the Label Options window, choose New Label and enter the measurements requested, such as label height and width, top margin, side margin, number of labels across and down, and horizontal and vertical pitch. Pitch is the distance from the start of one label to the start of the next, including the gap. Use the package specifications or measure the sheet carefully; do not guess if you want the layout to align with pre-cut labels. Give the custom label a recognizable name, then confirm the dialog.
Choose a full sheet of empty labels. Back in Envelopes and Labels, select Full page of the same label. This tells Word to create a complete sheet of identical blank cells. Do not type anything in the Address box if you want the labels to remain empty. The Single label option is for printing just one label at a selected row and column, often to use a partly used sheet.
Create the label document. Click New Document, not Print. Word opens a new page laid out as a table, with each cell corresponding to one label. Choosing New Document gives you an editable file you can save, inspect, or print later. Choosing Print sends the job directly to your selected printer instead.
Check that the label grid is visible. The cell boundaries may appear as faint on-screen gridlines rather than printable borders. Click inside the label table to show the contextual Table Layout tab, then choose View Gridlines if you cannot see the cells. Gridlines are only a guide on screen; they normally do not print. Avoid adding borders unless you specifically want visible lines on each label.
Save and test the layout. Choose File > Save As and save the file with a clear name, such as Blank address labels – product number. Before loading label stock, print the page on plain paper using the same printer settings you plan to use. Hold the test page over a label sheet against a light to check that the page boundaries line up with the labels. If they do, print the blank page on the label stock according to the printer and label-maker instructions.

Common Mistakes

Picking a similar product number instead of the exact one. A label can look like the right size but have different margins or spacing. Compare the complete product code on the package with the choices in Word. If the code is missing from the list, create a custom label using the manufacturer’s measurements rather than selecting a near match.

Choosing Single label when you want a full sheet. Single label produces one label position, not a page full of blanks. Select Full page of the same label for a complete sheet. Conversely, if you have a partly used sheet, entering a full page could print over labels that are already used; choose Single label and specify its position, or use an appropriate label template.

Expecting the faint cell guides to print. Word’s table gridlines help you see where each label is, but they are not the same as table borders. A blank-label document can look like a plain page when printed because there is no text or border. That is normal if you intend to write addresses on the labels later.

Printing directly onto label stock before checking alignment. Printer scaling, paper handling, or an incorrect label selection can shift the layout. Test on ordinary paper first, and confirm the printer is not set to enlarge or shrink the page.

Tips

Keep the package nearby while setting up. It usually identifies the label product number, sheet size, and suitable printer type. For custom labels, note the number of rows and columns as well as the label size; dimensions alone are not enough to describe the whole sheet layout.

Make the blank page easy to reuse. Save the document before printing and keep the product number in the filename. You can reopen it whenever you need another blank sheet. If you create several sizes, save a separate file for each one so you do not accidentally print a layout on the wrong stock.

Use print settings that preserve the page size. In the print dialog, select the paper size that matches the label sheet and choose a normal, actual-size setting if available. Avoid options such as Fit to page or scale to fit, which can alter the spacing. Use the printer’s manual-feed or label setting only if its instructions recommend it.

Handle sheets as directed by the manufacturer. Labels can peel, curl, or shift if they are damp, bent, or fed in an unsupported direction. Check whether the package specifies a feed tray or orientation. Remove a sheet promptly after printing if your printer instructions call for it.

Troubleshooting

The label cells do not appear. Click inside the area where the table should be. If Word shows the Table Layout tab, choose View Gridlines. If no table appears at all, return to Mailings > Labels, confirm your settings, and choose New Document again. Check that you clicked New Document rather than closing the dialog or printing directly.

The label layout is shifted on the test page. First make sure the product number and paper size are correct. Then check the print preview and the printer’s scaling setting. If the page is still off, try a different feed tray or orientation only if the printer supports it. When using a custom label definition, verify the margins, label pitch, row and column counts, and sheet dimensions against the product specifications.

The outline prints, but you wanted invisible guides. Click in the table and inspect its borders using the Table Design tab. If borders were applied, select the table and use Table Design > Borders to remove them. Keep View Gridlines turned on for editing if you want to see cell positions; those guides are separate from printed borders.

The label product is not in the list. Use Options > New Label to define it if the button is available, and enter the dimensions from the package. If your Word version does not offer that option, update or use desktop Word, or obtain a template from the label manufacturer. Avoid relying on a template for a different product unless its measurements are confirmed to match.

Word for the web does not show the Labels command. Open the file in the desktop Word app. Word for the web can handle many document edits, but label creation and its detailed product settings may not be available there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create blank labels without typing an address?

Yes. Leave the Address box empty, select Full page of the same label, and click New Document. Word creates the empty label layout without adding address text.

Will the blank label outlines print?

Not unless you add printable borders. The faint table gridlines are a screen aid, not printed lines. If you want visible boxes for cutting or writing, apply table borders deliberately and check the print preview.

Can I use a partly used sheet of labels?

Often, yes. Choose Single label and enter the row and column where the next unused label sits. Check the sheet orientation carefully, and test the position on plain paper. Do not reuse sheets if the manufacturer or printer instructions say they are not suitable for another pass.

Can I make a blank template for a label size Word does not list?

Yes. In Label Options, use New Label and enter the label measurements, sheet margins, pitch, and number of rows and columns. Save the resulting document and keep the product measurements with it so you can recreate the layout if needed.

Why does my blank label page look empty?

That is expected when the table gridlines are hidden or when you view the document in Print Layout without printable borders. Click inside the table and turn on View Gridlines to see the cell positions. The blank cells are still part of the document even if their guides are not visible.

Can I create the labels in Word for Mac?

Yes. Use the Labels command in the Mailings tab in recent Word for Mac versions, then select the label stock and create a new document as described above. Some older Mac versions place Labels under Tools. Menu wording can differ slightly by release.

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