How to Change Margins in Google Docs (+ 3 Essential Formatting Tricks)

The Google Docs Margin Mystery (And Other Formatting Hacks)

You’ve just finished drafting an important report in Google Docs when you realize:

• The margins are too wide, wasting space
• There’s an extra blank page you can’t remove
• Your professor requires double spacing
• You need to cross out text without deleting it

Don’t panic! This guide will walk you through these common formatting challenges like a pro.

How to Change Margins in Google Docs

Method 1: Ruler Adjustment (Quickest)

1. Open your Google Doc
2. Look for the gray ruler at the top
3. Drag the blue margin markers left/right:

• 🔵 Left margin: Triangle pointing right
• 🔷 Right margin: Triangle pointing left

Method 2: Page Setup (Precise Control)

1. Click File → Page setup
2. Enter exact margin sizes (default is 1 inch)
3. Choose “Apply to entire document” or just certain sections

Pro Tip: Use 0.5″ margins for resumes to fit more content.

How to Delete a Page in Google Docs

If the Page Has Content:

1. Select all text on the page (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A)
2. Press Delete

If It’s a Blank Page:

1. Place cursor at the end of the previous page
2. Press Delete until the page disappears
3. Still stuck? Adjust line spacing or page breaks

Why This Happens: Hidden formatting like:

• Extra paragraph marks ¶
• Page breaks (Insert → Break → Page break)
• Section breaks

How to Double Space in Google Docs

For the Entire Document:

1. Press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on Mac) to select all
2. Click the Line spacing icon (looks like up/down arrows)
3. Choose “Double”

For Specific Text:

1. Highlight the desired text
2. Use Format → Line & paragraph spacing → Double

Bonus: Set double spacing as default in “File → Page setup → Set as default”

How to Strikethrough on Google Docs

3 Ways to Cross Out Text:

1. Quick Menu:

• Highlight text → Click Format → Text → Strikethrough

1. Keyboard Shortcut:

• Windows: Alt+Shift+5
• Mac: ⌘+Shift+X

1. Mobile App:

• Tap text → Format (A icon) → More (⋮) → Strikethrough

Creative Uses:

• Tracking edits without deleting
• Creating to-do lists (✓ done items)

Google Docs Formatting Cheat Sheet

Task	Steps	Shortcut (Windows)
Change margins	File → Page setup	N/A
Delete page	Remove extra breaks	Backspace/Delete
Double space	Format → Line spacing	Ctrl+2
Strikethrough	Format → Text → Strikethrough	Alt+Shift+5

Troubleshooting Common Issues

❌ Margins won’t change?

• Check if you’re in Print Layout view (View → Mode)

❌ Can’t delete blank page?

• Show hidden characters with View → Show section breaks

❌ Double spacing looks wrong?

• Adjust paragraph spacing separately from line spacing

Pro Formatting Tips

✨ Use custom margins for school papers (check professor’s requirements)
✨ Combine strikethrough + comments for collaborative editing
✨ Set 1.15 spacing for business documents (easier to read than single space)

Windows vs Apple Mobile Operating Systems Comparison

Now You’re a Google Docs Formatting Master!

Next time you need to:

• Fix awkward margins
• Kill stubborn blank pages
• Meet double-spacing requirements
• Show edits with strikethrough

…you’ll know exactly what to do!

Which formatting trick saved you today?
Tell us in the comments!

(updated in August 2025)

#GoogleDocsTips #FormattingHacks ✍️💻