In Microsoft Word, how do I justify text on a page?

To vertically space text evenly on the page in Microsoft Word, follow the appropriate instructions below.

On this page:

• Changing the vertical alignment
  • Word 2010 and 2007 for Windows
  • Word 2003 and earlier for Windows
  • Word for Mac OS X
• Justifying a single line

Changing the vertical alignment

Word 2010 and 2007 for Windows

1. From the Page Layout tab, open the Page Setup... dialog box (using the button in the lower right corner of the Page Setup group).
   
   
2. Select the Layout tab.
   
   
3. In the "Vertical alignment:" box, select Justified, and then click OK.

Word 2003 and earlier for Windows

1. From the File menu, select Page Setup... .
   
   
2. Select the Layout tab.
   
   
3. In the "Vertical alignment:" box, select Justified, and then click OK.

Word for Mac OS X

1. From the Format menu, select Document... .
   
   
2. Select the Layout tab.
   
   
3. From the "Vertical alignment" menu, select Justified, and then click OK.

Justifying a single line

Microsoft Word will not normally justify a single line of text because the command is designed to justify all but the last line of a paragraph. However, you may justify a single line of text as follows:

1. With your cursor in the paragraph or line that you want to justify, press Ctrl-j (Command-j on a Mac). Alternatively, from the toolbar, click Justify Text.
   
   
2. Type or place your cursor at the end of the line of text that you wish to justify. There must be at least one space in the line.
   
   
3. At the end of the line of text, press Shift-Enter. Use the Enter key on the main keyboard, not on the keypad. On a Mac, press Shift-Return.

   The Shift-Enter or Shift-Return command will insert a soft return (i.e., a non-paragraph-ending return).

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