No matter the quality of your content, if it’s not easy on the eyes, no one will want to read it.

This is where line spacing comes into play. Google Docs defaults all newly created documents to a line spacing of 1.15, which in most cases is suitable to readability. However, if you want to make room for edits or improve the legibility of your content, then changing the line spacing to double space may be an option for you.

What is double-spaced text? If you’ve ever been told to submit an assignment or report (by a professor or a manager) in "double-spaced text," you might be wondering what it looks like. Double-spaced text has a full blank line between each row of text.

How to double space on Google Docs

Changing the spacing of your lines is simpler than it might seem. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to seamlessly make the change to all of your past and current docs!

• Option 1: use the toolbar
• Option 2: use the menu bar

Option 1: use the toolbar

If you’re familiar with toolbar features in Google Docs and how to use them, this option is recommended for speed and ease over option 2.

1. Highlight text

By dragging your cursor over the text, highlight which sections of your document need to be double spaced. If you need to double space the entire document, highlight from beginning to end. For a shortcut to highlighting the entire document, press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Command + A (macOS).

If you haven’t started writing yet, but already know your document needs to be double spaced, skip the first step.

2. Click the line spacing icon in the toolbar, then choose “Double”

Now that you’ve highlighted the text, locate the icon for line spacing in the toolbar and click on it. From there, a drop-down menu will appear with different options for line spacing. Click on the fourth option down that says “Double.”

Congrats, after selecting “Double,” you’ve successfully implemented double space in just two steps!

Option 2: use the menu bar

If you’re having trouble identifying the line spacing icon in the toolbar, follow the steps below for an alternative method.

1. Highlight text

To start, repeat the first step of option one by highlighting the parts of the document that need to be double spaced. You can do so by either using the shortcut provided above or manually dragging the cursor over the text.

2. Click “Format,” then hover the mouse over “Line spacing” and select “Double”

At the top of your screen, find and click on the “Format” button and a drop-down menu will appear. Hover over your mouse over “Line spacing” and another menu will immediately surface on the screen. From there, choose the line spacing option labeled “Double.”

You’ve successfully created double-spaced text in Google Docs!

Now that you understand not only one, but two ways to double space on Google Docs, you can easily customize the line spacing on any document to fit whatever your needs may be.

Have some more questions about formatting? Check out how to change margins and how to add page numbers in Google Docs.

If you’re interested in learning about other applications like Google Docs, check out G2’s compilation of the best document creation software here!