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Paper sizes not adjusting in Word 2007

WildChild Hernandez 45 Reputation points
2025-08-02T17:25:08.17+00:00

I work creating ebook formats for paperback books. I have always worked with a per size that I call Atlantis which is 5.5 x 7.5. For some reason I suddenly cannot get the preview pages to show in that size. There is a Custom Paper Size that shows up as Atlantis, it just isn't showing the pages in Print Layout in the proper size.

Image2

Image1

As you can see that is definitely not 7.5 inches high and nor is it 5.5 inches wide. How can I make my Word 2007 act the same as it always has before?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | Other | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author

Alex_T 6,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2025-08-02T22:50:50.82+00:00

Hello WildChild Hernandez,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A.

I understand how frustrating it can be when Word doesn't reflect your custom settings, especially when you're preparing a professional document like an ebook.

Word can apply formatting to the entire document or just specific sections:

  • Go to the Page Layout tab
  • In the Page Setup group, don't click the "Size" button. Instead, click the small arrow icon in the bottom-right corner of that entire group
  • In the dialog box that appears, go to the Paper tab > Make sure your "Atlantis" size is selected under Paper size
  • This is the important part: Look at the bottom for the dropdown menu labeled Apply to: it might say "This section" or "This point forward". Change it to Whole document > Click OK.

Sometimes, Word bases its page rendering on the capabilities of your currently selected printer. If the printer driver doesn't support that custom size, Word can get confused and fail to display it correctly.

  • In Word 2007, click the Office Button and go to Print.
  • In the Printer name dropdown, select a virtual printer like Microsoft Print to PDF or Microsoft XPS Document Writer. These are not tied to physical hardware and support almost any paper size. You don't need to actually print. Just select it and then click Close.
  • Now, check your document's Print Layout view again. If this fixes it, your regular printer's driver is the problem. You can often work around this by keeping the PDF writer selected while you edit and only switching back to your physical printer right before you actually print.

Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards,

Alex | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-04T00:53:05.6033333+00:00

    From your screen shot, it appears that your document is in Landscape rather than Portrait orientation. In the Page Setup dialog, make sure this is correct.

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