adding pleading lines and numbers to a word document

Question

I would like to add pleading lines and numbers to my document but do not know how

Answer 1

To create pleading-style lines and numbers in Word, use Word’s automatic line numbering together with either tab-ledger lines or drawn lines.

1. Switch to Print Layout view
   • On the View tab, select Print Layout so line numbers are visible.
2. Turn on automatic line numbers
   • Go to the Layout tab.
   • In the Page Setup group, select Line Numbers.
   • Choose one of the following:
     • Continuous to number lines consecutively through the document.
     • Restart Each Page to start at 1 on each page (common for pleadings).
   • If needed, select Line Numbering Options → Line Numbers for more control (such as different intervals).
3. Add the vertical pleading lines (option A – Tab Leader method) Use this if the “lines” should be blank underlines for text to be typed on.
   1. Place the cursor where the first pleading line should appear.
   2. On the Format menu (or dialog launcher in Paragraph settings), click Tabs.
   3. In Tab stop position, enter the width where the line should end from the left margin (for example, 6" for a full-width line in a typical layout).
   4. Under Alignment, select Right.
   5. Under Leader, select option 4 (underline).
   6. Click Set, then OK.
   7. Press TAB to draw the underline across the page.
   8. Press ENTER for the next line, then TAB again. Repeat for as many pleading lines as needed.
4. Add the vertical pleading lines (option B – Draw method) Use this if the “lines” are purely graphic ruling lines.
   1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes.
   2. Under Lines, choose Line.
   3. Click where the line should start, then drag to the desired length.
      • Hold SHIFT while dragging to keep the line perfectly horizontal or vertical.
   4. Repeat for additional lines as needed.
5. Adjust or style drawn lines (if using shapes)
   • Select a line; the Shape Format tab appears.
   • Use Shape Outline to change color, weight, or style.
   • Use Height and Width in the Size group to fine-tune length.

This combination of automatic line numbering plus either tab-leader underlines or drawn lines produces a pleading-style page with numbered lines down the left and visible ruling lines across the page.

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References:

• Add or remove line numbers
• WD2000: How to Create Ruling Lines or Blank Lines in Word
• Add a drawing to a document