Setting default line spacing in Wordpad

Anonymous
2010-05-09T11:36:35+00:00

Hello,

I have noticed an extremely annoying trait in the Windows 7 version of Word Pad. The Default line spacingis set to 1.15 and "add 10pt after paragraphs".

I would like to change the Default line spacing to 1.0 and "No 10 pt space after paragraphs".  is this possible with a registry hack?

I realize this is silly, but it really is annoying.

Any Input is very much appreciated,

Paul

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

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Anonymous
2011-11-10T08:14:56+00:00

I found a really simple trick to bypass this really annoying trait.

I create a simple Wordpad document with the desired settings I want (including fixing the spacing).

I then delete every character, save one ( If you delete the last one Wordpad will default back to

Cambria - 11pt).

Now save this document as 'Document.rtf' or whatever name you want and to any directory you want.

Create a shortcut on your desktop to this file.  Then rename the shortcut Wordpad.

Now whenever you open Wordpad thru this link you will have it open and ready to go with all your settings!

There will be of course one character there, but I start all my Wordpad encounters with copying & pasting

so I never notice it.

I realize this fix might not be what everyone wants, but for anyone who just opens Wordpad from their

desktop like me and many others it is a extremely simple fix to a most annoying problem.

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Anonymous
2010-05-10T00:46:16+00:00

Hi,

I am afraid t o inform that this is by design in Windows 7 and you will not be able to change it.

Thanks and Regards:

Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-02-22T06:55:23+00:00

    Well, if you guys haven't noticed; almost everybody hates this default setting. Why did you guys even change it to begin with? Almost every person I know complains about it every time they open Wordpad. You should either revert it back to normal, how it used to be; or you should at least give us the option to set the standard spacing as the default.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-25T21:34:41+00:00

    Many have suggested this. It does not really solve the problem The setting options in WPad don't reliably take hold. It will often use an extra space no matter how many times and ways I use the Menu to choose single spacing within and/or between paragraphs.  Importing text is also hell. It is impossible to take out the excess carriage returns by using either of the paragraph formatting icons. The program is broken, that's all. I could do as you  suggest, but I'm afraid I'd keep forgetting to use the template. If MS does not fix this, it will really send a message to their customers about how little they care

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-23T22:17:49+00:00

    Hopefully this helps whoever next googles this question.

    Not a solution but a workaround.  Lets you open a "new" document from the taskbar with your preferred settings.

    1. Open WordPad and pin it to task bar (right click -> Pin to taskbar)
    2. Make whatever changes you'd like, set page margins, paragraph spacing, etc.
    3. Save this to desktop, name doesn't matter, I used "NewDocument.rtf".  Close WordPad.
    4. Right-click the icon for the file you just created to open its properties.  Check the box next to "Read-only".  "OK" to close the dialog.
    5. Right click the WordPad icon on the taskbar, right-click again on "WordPad", then select "Properties".  This is the shortcut properties of the taskbar shortcut, just like any other shortcut properties.

    1. In the "Target" box, put the path to your recently created "NewDocument.rtf", e.g. "C:\Users\Me\Desktop\NewDocument.rtf".
    2. Click "OK" on the Properties box to save your properties.

    Now this shortcut will open your document with all your personalized settings.  The purpose of setting it as read-only is so when you hit Ctrl+S to save it brings up a save dialog.  Without this, it would constantly save your work to this document, requiring you to then do "Save As", then clearing this document and resaving.  Just saves from an annoyance.

    Notes: the actual location of the document (obviously) doesn't matter so place it wherever you like.  I placed it my "My Documents" folder to keep clutter off the desktop.  Just make sure the "Target" in the taskbar shortcut points to it properly.

    Might be a few years late but hope this was helpful.

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