How to Double Space an Entire Document in Microsoft Word

To double-space an entire document in Microsoft Word, press Ctrl+A on Windows (Command+A on Mac), then choose Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > 2.0. This applies double line spacing to the selected text. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+2 on Windows or Command+2 on Mac.

What You’ll Need

A document open in Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Mac. The steps are also similar in Word for the web.
Permission to edit the document. If it is read-only or protected, you may need to save an editable copy first.

Step-by-Step

Open the document and check that you can edit it. Open the file in Word and click in the main body of the document. If Word displays a Protected View or read-only notice, choose Enable Editing if you trust the file, or use Save As to make a copy you can edit. This avoids changing the original when you only need a double-spaced version.
Select the document text. On Windows, press Ctrl+A. On Mac, press Command+A. This selects the text in the current document story, normally the main body. Look for the selection highlight before you proceed. If the insertion point is inside a table or another separate area, the shortcut may select only that area at first; click in ordinary body text and try again if the whole body is not highlighted.
Open the line-spacing menu. Select the Home tab on the ribbon. In the Paragraph group, choose Line and Paragraph Spacing. The button usually shows horizontal lines with up-and-down arrows. If the ribbon is simplified or narrow, expand the ribbon or look in the Paragraph controls for the same menu.
Choose 2.0. In the menu, select 2.0. Word applies double line spacing to the selected paragraphs. The change affects the distance between lines within each paragraph; it does not automatically add extra blank paragraphs between paragraphs.
Check the whole document. Scroll through the beginning, middle, and end. Compare several paragraphs, not just one, and check headings, lists, and text in tables. If some sections remain single-spaced, select those paragraphs and apply 2.0 to them separately. Some objects, such as text inside a shape or text box, may not be included when you select the main document body.
Save the change. Press Ctrl+S on Windows or Command+S on Mac. If you want to preserve the original formatting, use Save As before or after making the change and save the double-spaced copy with a different name.
Use a shortcut if you prefer. With the document text selected, Ctrl+2 on Windows or Command+2 on Mac sets double line spacing in Word. If the shortcut does not work, use the ribbon menu instead: keyboard shortcuts can be intercepted by other software, and the ribbon makes it easy to confirm that 2.0 was chosen.
In Word for the web, apply the same setting from the ribbon. Select the document text, open Home, choose Line and Paragraph Spacing, and choose 2.0. The web layout can vary with window size, so expand the ribbon or use its search feature if you cannot see the spacing control. If a feature is unavailable in the browser version, open the file in the desktop app.

On Mac, the ribbon tab and menu names are generally the same as on Windows, although the controls may be arranged differently depending on the window width and ribbon layout. Use Command+A to select text and Command+2 to apply double spacing; the Home tab menu is the clearest alternative if your keyboard settings differ.

Common Mistakes

Changing paragraph spacing instead of line spacing. Word has separate controls for the space between lines in a paragraph and the space before or after a paragraph. Double spacing means choosing 2.0 in Line and Paragraph Spacing. Increasing Space After can make paragraphs look farther apart, but it does not make the lines inside each paragraph double-spaced.

Selecting only one paragraph. If you click in a paragraph and choose 2.0 without selecting anything else, Word normally changes only that paragraph. For an existing document, select the main text first. If the whole selection is not highlighted, do not assume the whole file has changed; review the selection and repeat the step.

Adding blank lines by pressing Enter repeatedly. Extra paragraph breaks are not the same as double line spacing. They can create uneven gaps, move text unexpectedly, and make later edits difficult. Remove unnecessary blank paragraphs and use the 2.0 line-spacing setting instead.

Expecting every item in the file to be included. The main document selection may not include headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, or text boxes in the way you expect. Those areas can be separate from the main body. Check them if the requirement specifically applies to them, and format each area separately when needed.

Changing spacing and assuming the document will stay on one page. Double spacing takes up more vertical room, so page count and page breaks usually change. That is normal. Avoid shrinking the font or margins just to force the original page count unless the assignment or document requirements allow it.

Tips

Use the ribbon menu when accuracy matters. It lets you choose the named 2.0 setting rather than estimating the space visually. A paragraph set to 1.5 or a custom multiple can look close on screen, especially with a large font, but it is not the same setting.

If you are working on a school, work, or submission document, check whether the instructions mean double line spacing throughout or only in the body text. Some specifications require single-spaced headings, footnotes, captions, or reference lists. Follow the requested format rather than changing every separate section automatically.

Keep paragraph spacing consistent as well. If the document has large gaps between paragraphs after you apply 2.0, open Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing and check for options to add or remove space before or after paragraphs. These controls are separate from the 2.0 line-spacing choice, so do not change them unless the result or requirements call for it.

Save a separate copy before substantial formatting changes to a shared or important file. A copy gives you a straightforward way to return to the original layout, while undo is useful for immediately reversing an accidental change. On Windows, Ctrl+Z undoes the last action; on Mac, use Command+Z.

For a new document that should begin double-spaced, set 2.0 before typing. Click in the blank document, choose Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > 2.0, and then start writing. This sets the spacing for the paragraphs you create from that point; it does not automatically change other existing files.

Troubleshooting

Only part of the document changed: Click in ordinary body text, press Ctrl+A or Command+A again, and check whether the full body is selected. Apply 2.0 once more. Then inspect tables and separate text areas. If a particular section remains unchanged, select its paragraphs directly and use Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > 2.0.

The text looks double-spaced, but the document does not meet the requirement: Select a paragraph and reopen Line and Paragraph Spacing. Confirm that 2.0 is selected. Also check for extra Space Before or Space After, which can make the page look more open without changing line spacing. If the requirement specifies particular sections, confirm those sections individually.

The menu or button is missing: Make sure you are on the Home tab and that the ribbon is expanded. In a narrow Word window, some controls are hidden in a condensed ribbon or overflow menu. Maximize the window or use Word’s command search to find Line and Paragraph Spacing. In Word for the web, opening the file in the desktop app is another option.

The document is protected or the setting is unavailable: Check for a Protected View banner, read-only status, or editing restrictions. Enable editing only if you trust the file. If editing is restricted by its owner, request an editable copy or ask them to change the formatting; trying to work around a restriction may not be appropriate.

Headers, footers, footnotes, or text boxes stayed unchanged: These may be separate text areas. Double-click a header or footer to edit it, or click inside a text box or note, select the text there, and apply 2.0 from the Home tab. Verify the result in each area that the instructions include. The exact selection behavior can vary with the document’s layout.

Spacing changes when you paste or continue typing: The pasted content may carry its own formatting, or a paragraph style may apply different settings. Select the affected paragraphs and choose 2.0 again. If new paragraphs keep reverting, inspect the style applied to them and update that style’s line spacing, or apply the required formatting after pasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to double-space an entire Word document?

Press Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on Mac, then choose Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > 2.0. You can also use Ctrl+2 on Windows or Command+2 on Mac after selecting the text.

Does double spacing add a blank line between paragraphs?

No. Double spacing increases the distance between lines within paragraphs. A blank line is a separate empty paragraph, and paragraph spacing controls the extra gap before or after a paragraph.

Will double spacing change the font or margins?

No. Choosing 2.0 changes line spacing, not font size, font style, or page margins. It can increase the number of pages because lines take up more vertical space.

Can I double-space only part of a Word document?

Yes. Select the paragraphs you want to change, then choose Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > 2.0. You do not need to select the entire document when only a section should be double-spaced.

Does the shortcut work in Word for Mac?

Yes. Select the text and press Command+2 to apply double line spacing in Word for Mac. If it does not work on your keyboard or setup, use the Home tab’s Line and Paragraph Spacing menu and select 2.0.

Why did double spacing increase my page count?

Each paragraph now uses more vertical space, so fewer lines fit on a page. Page breaks and the total number of pages may change; this is an expected result of double spacing, not usually a formatting error.

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