My Word new document looks different, with a big gap on top of the left hand ruler, how to revert to the normal version?

Question

My Word new document looks different, with a big gap on top of the left hand ruler, how to revert to the normal version?

Answer 1

The first step is to ensure that your document is displayed in Print Layout view. You can click Print Layout on the View tab. See the screen shot below.

  

Could you elaborate on where you are seeing the undesired space?

Answer 2

If you have a large space at the top of your screen, you may be displaying "white space." Word tries to approximate how the page will look when printed. Headers and footers are also displayed when this option is chosen. This is the default view.

As Stefan noted, you need to be in Print View to be seeing this. If you are in Draft View you will not see it.

You can uncheck this in File > Options > Display

Resources:

• Elusive White Space by Word MVP Suzanne Barnhill http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/WhiteSpace.htm

Answer 3

This is usually the page white space or margin display being hidden in Print Layout view.

Try these steps in Word on Windows:

1. Move the pointer to the top edge of the page until it becomes a double-pointed arrow.
2. Double-click to show the white space at the top and bottom of the page again.

If that does not fix it:

1. Go to File > Options > Display.
2. Turn on Show white space between pages in Print Layout view.
3. Make sure the document is in Print Layout view.

If the ruler itself is missing:

1. Go to View.
2. Select Ruler.

If the vertical ruler needs to be shown:

1. Go to File > Options > Advanced.
2. Under Display, select Show vertical ruler in Print Layout view.

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References:

• My top margin is missing
• Show the ruler
• View on new documents has changed and the top margin is now hidden - Microsoft Q&A
• return word doc view to include top and bottom margins to it appears normal as in portrait orientation instead of square - Microsoft Q&A