Setting Default Paragraph Formatting

by Dave
(Elroy, Wisconisn USA)

The default in Word 2007 adds space between paragraphs of the same style. You have to check a little box in the paragraph box if you do not want this. I have tried to change this so the default is NOT to add space between paragraphs of the same style, but it will not go to default. I have to check that box every time I start a new document. How can I change the default to not add space between paragraphs?

ANSWER:

To make your paragraph formatting changes permanent and available for any file, you need to save the change to the Normal.dotm template. Changing the template does not change already existing documents, so instructions for how to apply the paragraph formatting to all paragraphs in a document you already created are included.

Change Paragraph Formatting for the Default Template

To save changes to the default Word 2007 template, follow these steps:

On the Home tab in the Paragraph group, click the launcher to open the Paragraph dialog box.
Change the paragraph indentation and line spacing settings as desired.
Click Default.
Click OK.

When you click the Default button, all settings in the Paragraph dialog box are saved to the Normal.dotm template, which is the default template in Word 2007. Those changes become the default setting for all new documents based on that template until you change them again.

Note: changing the default template does not change styles for previously created documents.

Just remember that the default template styles can be overridden when creating new styles for a particular document. I like to set my default template to contain the paragraph formatting I use for most documents, then change the style in individual documents, if needed.

Change Paragraph Formatting for an Existing Document

To change paragraph formatting for an already existing document, you have to change the paragraph style, then apply it to the whole document.

Place the cursor in the paragraph you want to change.
On the Home tab in the Styles group, open the Styles window by clicking the launcher.
In the Styles list, highlight the style name, then click the down arrow.
Select Modify. The Modify Style window opens.
Select Automatically Update. (Note: this option may not be available for the default Normal paragraph style.)
Click Format, then select Paragraph.
Make the desired paragraph formatting changes, then click OK.

Once the new style is saved, every paragraph that is marked with that style is changed to the new settings.

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Setting Default Paragraph Formatting

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Jan 04, 2010
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"don't add space between paragraphs.. won't save as default
by: Anonymous

I followed these instructions to change the default paragraph formatting. I checked "don't add space between paragraphs of the same style", but it will not save that setting. Is this possible? I have to go in and check that every time I open a new document.

Jan 05, 2010
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Must be a bug...here is a workaround
by: Word-Tips

Yes, I was able to recreate your problem. I think this may be a bug. I'll need to do some research on the Microsoft Knowledge Base to see if I can find some answers. I'll post my findings here.

In the meantime, here is a workaround. It is a clunky way to do it, but this may work for you:

Right above where you select Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style, set the Before and After Spacing to 0pt. Click Default to save the change to your default template.

CAUTION: You have to decide if this is the best solution for your situation...this may cause a ripple effect if you have other paragraph styles based on this particular style.

Jan 05, 2010
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workaround solved my problem
by: Anonymous

Your workaround solved the problem I was having with the extra space added after paragraphs. Thank you so much.

Jan 09, 2010
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buggy paragraph box
by: Dave

I tried the original solution several times, but I could not make it work either. The "x" just would not stay in the "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style" box, no matter how or in what order I checked the default box. However, the work around did work. --Dave

Jan 09, 2010
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Microsoft Fix for Word 2007 Paragraph Spacing
by: Word-Tips

I found a fix in the Microsoft Knowledge Base files for the paragraph spacing issue in Word 2007. The fix changes the spacing back to the Word 2003 default.

Follow the link to the article, then click the Microsoft Fix It button.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921174

If the fix does not work, there is a link listed on that page for contacting Microsoft Support.

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