Page orientation and paper size (Word 2007, 2010)

What is page formatting?

• Page formatting relates to formatting that normally affects the whole page, such as page orientation.  The page is either Portrait or Landscape orientated.  It also includes items such as page size and margins.

Page orientation and paper size

• Normally your Microsoft Word document will be displayed in Portrait page orientation, which is like looking at a photograph, where the long edge is the vertical line.  You may change to Landscape orientation for certain types of documents such as notices.

• The physical size of the paper used within printers varies from country to country.  In the United States the normal paper size is called 'Letter' size and the dimensions are measured in inches.  A ‘Letter’ sized paper is shorter but wider than ‘A4’ sized paper. 

• In Europe and many other places the paper size used within computer printers is normally called A4 sized paper.  This may be measured in inches or centimetres (depending on the country). A4 sized paper is longer and slightly narrower than 'letter' sized paper. 

• Open a document called Page layout.  Click on the Page Layout tab.  Within the Page Setup section click on the Orientation button.  A drop down list allows you to select either Portrait or Landscape page orientation.  Select Landscape.

• Your document will now look something like this.  

• To see the effect better, click on the Microsoft Office button and click on the arrow next to the Print option.  From the submenu displayed select the Print Preview command.  

• This will display the document in Print Preview view.

• Click on the Close Print Preview button to return to Print Layout view.

• Reset the page orientation back to Portrait orientation. 

Changing the page size

• Experiment with changing the page size.  To do this click on the Page Layout tab and from within the Page Setup section of the Ribbon, click on the Size icon, as illustrated.

• You can click on an item within the drop down list to change the page size.

Page margins

• Your document has a top, bottom, left and right margin.  This is the space between the edge of your text and the edge of your page.  Each margin may be increased or decreased.  Be careful not to decrease it too much or you may have problems printing the documents.

• To modify your page margins, click on the Page Layout tab.  From the Page Setup section, click on the Margins button.  A list of preset options is displayed, as illustrated. 

• Experiment with applying these different preset margin options.

• To create your own custom margins, click on the Custom Margins command displayed at the bottom of the Margins drop down list.    This will display the Page Setup dialog box, allowing you to set exact values for the margins.  Experiment with setting different margins values.  

• Before continuing, reset the margins to the Microsoft Word default values by clicking on the Margins button and selecting the Normal margin command.