How to Change Margin on Google Docs: Page Setup & Ruler

Quickly adjust the margins on your Google Doc

Changing the margins in Google Docs is quick and easy! Use Page Setup if you want to increase or decrease the margins for the entire document. Or, use the ruler if you just want to change the margins for a portion of the text. This wikiHow shows you how to change the margins on your Google document on your Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Things You Should Know

  • Use File > Page setup to change the margins for the whole document.
  • Use View > Show ruler to show the ruler.
  • Slide the blue triangle in the ruler to change the margin for selected text.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Page Setup

  1. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 1
    1
    Click File. Open Google Docs in your preferred web browser. Then, locate the File tab at the top of your Google Doc. This method will use Page Setup to change the margins for the entire document.
  2. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 2
    2
    Select Page setup. This option is located near the bottom of the File pop-up menu. A “Page setup” window will appear over your document.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 3
    3
    Type in new margin values. The margins are set to 1 inch by default. Type in new values to change the margins for the entire document.
    • You can set the margin to decimal values to get the exact spacing you need. For example, 0.5 will result in a margin of half an inch.
  4. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 4
    4
    Click OK. This will confirm the margin settings for your Google Doc. You’re ready to share the Google Doc file with your fellow writers!
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Ruler

  1. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 5
    1
    Show the ruler. If the ruler isn’t already present on your Google Doc, follow these steps:
    • Click View in the top menu bar.
    • Click Show ruler to make the ruler appear.
  2. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 6
    2
    Select the text you want to change. Using the ruler only changes the margins for the text you’ve selected, not the entire document.
    • Place your cursor in a single line to change just the margins for that line.
    • Highlight multiple lines to change their margins at the same time.
    • Press Ctrl+A (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd+A (macOS) to select everything in the document.
  3. Image titled Change Margin on Google Docs Step 7
    3
    Drag the blue arrow in the ruler. This will change the margin for the selected text.
    • You can also drag the blue rectangle to change the first line indentation of paragraphs.
    • For more Google Docs tips, check out how to add borders and easily move images.
    4. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Turn Off Google Safesearch
How to
Turn Off Google Safesearch
Sign Out of Your Google Account on All Devices at Once
How to
Sign Out of Your Google Account on All Devices at Once
Restore Google AuthenticatorHow to Restore Google Authenticator if You Lost or Reset Your Phone
Fix the "Google Play Store Has Stopped" Error
How to
Fix the "Google Play Store Has Stopped" Error
Google Sheets How to Insert Time in Cell Automatically4 Easy Ways to Add the Time and Date Automatically in Sheets
Write a Review on Google2 Ways to Write a Review on Google
Turn Off Google Ads
How to
Turn Off Google Ads
Get a Google Voice Phone NumberHow to Sign Up for a New Google Voice Phone Number
Make a Time Slot Sign Up Sheet on Google FormsHow to Make a Sign Up Sheet with Time Slots in Google Forms
Search by Image on GoogleReverse Image Search in Google Lens: Android, iPhone, & Desktop
Make a Google Account5 Easy Steps to Create a Google Account on Any Device
Do Google GravityHow to Do the Google Gravity Trick in Your Browser
Create a Website Using Google Sites
How to
Create a Website Using Google Sites
Delete a YouTube Account
How to
Delete a YouTube Account
Advertisement

About This Article

Kyle Smith
Written by:
Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith. Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been viewed 1,192 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: January 9, 2023
Views: 1,192
Categories: Google Applications | Google Docs
Advertisement