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How to Fix Uneven Spacing in MS Word

The Modern Language Association (MLA) requires that academic papers be evenly double-spaced throughout the document, with no “extra space above or below the title of the paper or between paragraphs” (A Writer’s Reference, p. 466). However, the default formatting in most Microsoft Word versions automatically inserts extra space before and after paragraphs.

In Microsoft Word, a paragraph is created every time you press the Enter key. Because of default paragraph spacing, this often results in large gaps:

Between lines in the identification block (name, instructor, class, date)
Before and after the title
Between paragraphs
Between entries on the Works Cited page

The steps below explain how to remove this extra spacing on a PC laptop or desktop computer.

Steps to Fix Uneven Spacing (PC)

Select the entire document by pressing CTRL + A.
Under the Home tab, click the small arrow in the lower right-hand corner of the Paragraph toolbar. This opens the Paragraph menu.
In the Paragraph menu, select the Indents and Spacing tab and review the current settings under Spacing.
Figure 1: Typical Default Paragraph Formatting shows common default settings, which may include extra spacing before and after paragraphs and line spacing set to “Multiple.” Your version of Word may vary slightly.
Change the settings under Spacing so that:
- Before: 0 pt
- After: 0 pt
- Line spacing: Double
Figure 2: MLA Paragraph Formatting demonstrates correct MLA spacing with no extra space before or after paragraphs and consistent double spacing throughout the document.
Click OK to apply the changes.
Click anywhere in the document to deselect the text. This prevents accidental changes or deletions.

Mac Users

These instructions are written for PC users. The process for a Mac laptop or desktop computer is similar. Instead of the Home tab, access the Format menu and select Paragraph…. From that point forward, the spacing instructions are the same.

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