8 Microsoft Word Tips for Professional Looking Documents

 

As you probably already know, Microsoft Word gives you plenty of tools for composing and formatting most any type of document. But which of these features should you use to create professional looking documents? Here are several helpful tips.

Table of Contents

Choose the Right Font for the Job
Adjust the Margins Appropriately
Choose the Right Line and Paragraph Spacing
Adjust Your Indents
Format Using Columns When They Fit
Add Headings to Identify Sections
Position Images Between Text and Paragraphs
Use Alignment Tools for Images and Objects

Choose the Right Font for the Job

Whether you create a business document or college paper, pick an easy-to-read font.

If you plan to print the document, you can choose a serif font like Times New Roman or Georgia. As the name implies, serif letters have serifs, which you might call wings or tails, that make the font look more ornate. These appear nicely on printed pieces.

For digital documents, go for a sans serif font instead like Arial or Calibri. These font styles don’t have serifs (wings or tails) which make them easier to read on computer or mobile device screens.

To change the font style, along with the size and color, head to the Home tab and Fonts section of the ribbon.

To change the default font for all documents, open the Font launcher using the small arrow in the bottom right corner.

Make your selection, pick “Set as Default,” and “OK.”

Adjust the Margins Appropriately

If you have a requirement for the margins, you can set them to the exact sizes you need easily. If not, the standard is one inch for all four sides. Depending on the type of document you’re creating, you may want smaller margins to accommodate tables or diagrams. In this case, you can go with the narrow margin settings at one-half inch on each side.

To adjust the margins, go to the Layout tab and open the Margins drop-down menu to make your selection.

For margins at exact sizes, choose Custom Margins at the bottom of the list. Enter the measurements at the top, including the gutter if you like, and click “OK” to save the changes.

Note that you have additional options for Custom Margins in Word. You can use specifics per the page orientation, page type, and apply the margins to the whole document, a certain section, or from a point moving forward.