When yous're creating a document in Google Docs, at that place'southward more to information technology than just the content. A properly formatted document is also important. This tin include elements like line-spacing, paragraph styles, and of course, margins. And these types of items are especially key for documents like school essays, for example.

Here nosotros'll prove y'all how to modify margins in Google Docs online and in the mobile app.

Adapt Margins in Google Docs Online

You lot have a couple of ways to change the margins in Google Docs online. The i you choose is up to yous because they are both easy enough.

Modify the Folio Margins Using the Ruler

The first and fastest way to change your margins is by using the ruler. If your ruler is not displayed, click View > Show Ruler from the menu. You'll so see i display across the top and the left side.

To change the left margin, put your cursor over the top of the rectangle/triangle combination on the left side of the ruler. You lot'll run into a minor arrow and vertical blue line appear.

Drag inwards or outward to decrease or increase the left margin. Be careful not to drag either the rectangle or triangle separately as this volition impact the paragraphs and not the page margin.

Change Left Margin-Google Docs

To change the right margin, put your cursor above the triangle on the right side of the ruler. When yous run into the pointer and blueish line, elevate inward or outward to change that margin.

Change Right Margin-Google Docs

To change the meridian or bottom margins, put your cursor on the ruler where you meet the shaded area turn to white. This will brandish a small arrow and a horizontal blueish line. Then drag upward or downward to increase or subtract the margin.

Change Top Margin-Google Docs

As you lot drag to edit the margins using the ruler on whatever side, yous'll see the size (in inches) adjust every bit you move your cursor. This lets you lot be more than precise. But for more accuracy, use the steps below to change the margins using the Page Setup.

Alter the Page Margins Using the Page Setup

If you lot want to input the specific measurements for your margins, for example, if you need 1-inch margins, follow these steps.

  1. With your document open in Google Docs, click File from the bill of fare and choose Page setup.
  2. Enter the measurements in the boxes under the Margins column for Top, Bottom, Left, and Correct.
  3. Click OK to apply the margin changes.
Change Margins-Google Docs

Set Default Page Margins in Google Docs

You can ready the margins in Google Docs online to default measurements if you lot similar. This way, each fourth dimension you create a new certificate, your margins will exist set to the same size. This is convenient if you have specific margin sizes required for your documents.

  1. Open a certificate or create a new one where you desire to apply the default margin sizes.
  2. Click File from the menu and choose Page setup.
  3. Enter the measurements in the boxes under the Margins column for all four sides.
  4. Click Set every bit Default.
  5. Hitting the OK
Set Default Margins-Google Docs

When you create your next Blank document in Google Docs, you lot tin go to File > Page setup to verify that your margins are prepare to the default measurements you selected.

Note that setting margins to default sizes will non utilise when you create a document using a Google Docs template from the Gallery. However, y'all tin even so adapt margins for templates every bit described before.

Adjust Margins for Columns in Google Docs

If you format your document in columns, y'all can nevertheless change the margins in Google Docs and accept them set differently for each column.

You lot'll set the furthest left and right margins, which are technically folio margins, using 1 of the methods as above. So you tin can employ the ruler or the Folio setup card. But for the within margins or column indents, you lot'll demand to use the ruler.

Click within your first column and you'll see the blue triangle on the superlative right. This is the correct margin for that starting time cavalcade. Elevate the triangle inward or outward to adjust the margin for the cavalcade.

When you click within the second column, you'll notice that rectangle/triangle combination you apply to change the left page margin. So place your cursor in a higher place that combo and drag inward or outward to adjust that column'due south margin.

Change Column Margins-Google Docs

If yous use a 3-column layout, you'll take the same blue indicators on the ruler for changing your tertiary cavalcade too. Just remember that they won't appear until you click inside of a column.

Adjust Margins in Google Docs on Mobile

If yous utilise the Google Docs mobile app, working with margins is slightly different. The feature does not appear in the current version of Google Docs on Android; even so, information technology does appear on iOS.

And so if you're an iPhone or iPad user, here'due south how to change the margins in Google Docs on your device.

  1. Open your document in Google Docs and access the Menu with the three dots on the superlative right.
  2. Select Page Setup.
  3. Tap Margins.
  4. Select from Narrow, Default, Wide, or Custom, which are explained below.
  5. Tap Apply.
Change Margins Google Docs-iPhone

Narrow: 0.five-inch margins on all iv sides.

Default: One-inch margins on all four sides.

Broad: One-inch margins on the top and bottom with ii-inch margins on the sides.

Custom: Tap the numbers and use the keypad to modify the margins to whatever size y'all like.

Arrange Margins for Columns

If you desire to alter the margins for columns in the Google Docs app on iOS, you'll basically edit the margins for the folio as described above so increment or decrease the column spacing.

Once you take the folio margins set, here'southward how to adjust the cavalcade spacing:

  1. Tap the Format push (capital A icon next to the plus sign at the top).
  2. Select the Layout
  3. Use the arrows next to Column spacing to increase or subtract the space that'southward between the columns.

Download: Google Docs for iOS (Free)

A Margin of Difference

When it comes to setting or changing margins in Google Docs, you have some pretty easy tools to use. The ruler is super handy for quick margin edits while the Page setup settings are ideal for exact margin sizes. So use i, the other, or both depending on your needs at the time. And don't forget about the option to set margins by default!

With your margins sorted, here'south how to double space text on Google Docs.

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About The Author

Sandy Writtenhouse (437 Articles Published)

With her BS in Information Technology, Sandy worked for many years in the It industry as a Project Manager, Department Manager, and PMO Lead. She and so decided to follow her dream and now writes almost applied science full-fourth dimension.

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