Text Formatting
in Google Docs

Change line & paragraph spacing

1. Go to the paragraph you want to change.

   • Or select multiple paragraphs.

2. To change the line and paragraph spacing:

   • In the toolbar, at the upper right, select Line & paragraph spacing.

   • Open the Format menu, then select Line & paragraph spacing. 

3. Choose a line spacing option:

   • To change your paragraph spacing, click Single, 1.15, 1.5, or Double.

   • To change your spacing between paragraphs, click Remove space before paragraph or Add space after paragraph.

   • To enter a custom size, click Custom spacing. Then, enter the size of the spacing you want before and after a paragraph and click Apply.

   • To keep paragraph headings and text on the same page, click Keep with next.

   • To keep all lines of text in the same paragraph on the same page, click Keep lines together.

   • To prevent single lines at the beginning or end of paragraphs, click Prevent single lines.

Show or hide rulers

You can use horizontal and vertical rulers to help you align text, graphics, or tables in your document.  The rulers will automatically show when you open a document. To hide the rulers:

1. At the top of the document, click View.

2. Click Show ruler.

Tip: To show the ruler again, click Show ruler.

Show or hide non-printing characters

You can use non-printing characters to see how your document is formatted. Non-printing characters appear in blue and will show you where your document has:

• Paragraph breaks

• Line breaks

• Section breaks

• Page breaks

• Column breaks

• Tabs

• Spaces

To show non-printing characters:

1. At the top of the document, click View.

2. Click Show non-printing characters.

Tip: To hide the characters, click Show non-printing characters again.