How To Change Google Docs Custom Page Size
So, you would like to create a document, but desire to have full control over the size of your pages. Like a suit perfectly tailored to the measurements of its owner, you may desire to have pages that suit the demands of your content. Fortunately, I can show you how to change Google Docs custom page size to fit your needs.
To change the Google Docs custom page size, you will need to install an Add-on because Google Docs only has predefined sizes. An Add-on that can assist you is Page Size as it allows you to define your desired length and width of your Google Doc. It also gives you the ability to determine the unit of measurement that Google Docs should use to create the size.
I will explain to you the standard size of a Google Doc as well as whether you can change your page to your desired size and orientation in both the online software and the app. As I have created quite a lot of documents using Google Docs, I will also be able to show you how to use both page orientations in the same documents. I will also explain whether you can use different page sizes in the same document.
Can You Change The Page Size In Google Docs?
The default page size of a Google Doc page is the standard letter size which is 8.5” x 11”. You are able to change the page size in Google Docs. There are various sizes to choose from.
In order to make a custom page size in Google Docs, you will first select “File” from the menu bar. Scroll down until you see “Page setup”. You will see a dialogue box appear.
On the left side, you will see the term “Paper size”. Below, there is a drop-down menu from which you can choose your desired paper size. If you would like this to be your default size whenever you open Google Docs, you can select the option below to “Set as default”.
I find that the letter-sized page is the most used. I mostly use it to write reports, letters, and articles like this one. However, if I am creating a long table, I often change my page size to legal size in order to accommodate the length of the table. There are times, though, when I need to create content that suits none of the sizes that Google Doc has predetermined.
Changing Margins
If the document that you are preparing requires a size that is a bit bigger than a letter-size, but smaller than legal-sized, adjusting the margins might be of assistance. It allows for more space on the document. I would not recommend adjusting the margins too close to the end of the paper, as it detracts from the aesthetics and professionalism of your content.
Changing Margins is only useful though if you need a bit more space on smaller page sizes or a bit less space on larger ones. In order to adjust your margins, you will select “File” from the menu bar. After selecting “Page Setup”, you will see the Margin adjusters to the right of the dialogue box.
The number and positioning you see refer to how many inches from the edge of the top, bottom, left, and right of the document you want the margins to be. To create more writing space in your document you will reduce this number. Conversely, you will increase the margins to reduce the writing space.
If the margin space hasn’t helped with customizing your size of the document, then there is another way that will give you more options to choose from.
Although Google Docs provides various sizes to choose from, there may be instances where your desired page size is not available. In such cases, you can use an online tool like PDFescape to edit and customize your PDF documents. PDFescape offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily upload, edit and save your PDFs without any software installation.
How Do You Change A Custom Page Size On Google Docs?
Google Doc has no pre-installed settings that allow you to customize your page size. However, you can gain the option by using an Add-on. An example of an Add-on that you can use is the Page-Sizer.
To install an Add-on, select “Add-on” from the menu bar. Scroll down until you see the “Get add-ons” option. A page will appear with a search bar at the top.
If you would like to use the Page Sizer add-on, type the term into the search bar. Select it, then select, “Install”.
After the Add-on is installed, click on “Add-ons” once again. You will see the name of the add-on, Page Sizer in the drop-down list. Select Page Sizer, then select “Set page size”.
You will see a dialogue box open with the default size of your page already displayed as this is the current size of your document page. You will be able to set your desired dimensions for your page size. Select your desired height and width.
On the right of the dialogue box, you will see an option to determine the units for your page size. Once you have customized your page, select “Apply”. Your page will then adjust to the page size.
How to Change Page Orientation In Google Docs
The page orientation setting is located in the same area as the paper size change feature. Open “Files” from the search bar, open “Page setup”, then click on the option to either have your document in portrait or landscape.
The portrait option is more convenient if you would like to have more rows of content per page. The landscape option is more useful if you desire more content per line of text. Fortunately, if you require both orientations in a singular document this is possible.
Let us say for instance I have a report to write. However, I have medium-sized tables to include that will not be appropriate for portrait mode. But at the same time, I have findings from my tables to write that will not be appropriate for landscape mode. f
Will I have to write in two different documents then combine them after printing? I can assure you that you don’t have to. Google Docs has a method that allows you to use both in your document.
I would recommend first writing the information for your page, whether it is for landscape or portrait mode. While it is possible, it may be a bit confusing to determine your orientations for each page beforehand.
Continuing with the scenario, Google Docs would have my page in portrait mode by default, so my content will seem a bit congested if my intention is to have the first page formatted in landscape.
Once I have the first page of my document, I will highlight the content on that page, then select “File”. Next, I will scroll down and select “Page setup”. On the dialogue page, you will see a drop-down option to let Google Docs know whether the way I want to manipulate my page for the whole document or just the selected text (the text I highlighted beforehand).
I will select “Selected text” then select “Landscape”. I will confirm my choice. Now, my page will be in landscape but when I go to the second page, it will go back to portrait.
If you prefer to dictate your page orientation for each page, before writing the content then this is also possible. You will have to highlight the blank page and follow the same instructions as before.
I will then have content that includes both landscape and portrait orientation.
You will notice that whenever you choose “Selected content” you are restricted from configuring the page size settings. This is because Google Docs will not allow you to have multiple page sizes in one document. If the content you are creating requires multi-sized pages you will have to create two documents.
How to Change Page Orientation In Google Docs App
The Google Docs app is suitable for content that you would like to create on your phone. Changing the page orientation in the app is just as simple. It can also be used offline, therefore it is perfect for making documents wherever you go.
After you have opened the app, you will notice three horizontal dots to the top right of your screen. Click on those dots. One of the options will be “Page setup”.
The first option you will see is “Orientation”. Click on it then choose whether you would like your content to be in landscape or portrait. You will notice that unlike in the Google Docs software, the app does not give you the option of choosing the orientation for a specific page.
You are unable to use multiple page orientations in the app. My recommendation would be that if you would like to create content in the app, then create it using one orientation. Then save the document until you are able to use the software on your laptop.
There, you will only need to highlight which pages you would like the orientation to change.
Conclusion
We have discussed the standard size for a Google Doc, whether we can change the page size of each document as well as how you can customize the page sizes. We have also talked about using page orientation and manipulating it according to your specified requirements for each page. You now have full mastery of the page sizer and Page setup feature on Google Docs!