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
    2013-06-10T07:13:25+00:00

    Well, I'm just now chiming into this question about 2-1/2 years since people started complaining, but I have to agree that the "sorry, this is by design" answer is simply stupid.

    What Microsoft "genuis" decided that documents should DEFAULT to 10pt spacing between paragraphs? Where in the industry is that a standard? This should have been an option.

    Microsoft's arrogance and unresponsiveness is what is going to hurt the company most. People choose Windows because it's configurable and easy to use, not because it's the best OS in existence. When you take configurability away, I might as well buy a damned Mac, or better yet, go Linux.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-08-13T16:30:51+00:00

    I am happy with my fix.  Here 'tis again (thought I posted this but can't seem to find it...) :

    1. Open WordPad
    2. Change linespacing options - uncheck Add 10pt space after paragraphs
    3. and ... I change spacing to 1.0
    4. type one space
    5. I also change font to what I prefer
    6. Save the file as a template - anywhere you like
    7. Find that file - right-click on it and go into Properties
    8. I check both Readonly and Hidden
    9. Create a shortcut - I use WordPad so much I prefer to Pin it on the Taskbar area
    10. Right-click on the shortcut - add the file to the Target string - here's mine:  "%ProgramFiles%\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe" "F:\My Documents\Blank Document RO.rtf"

    So now when I click on the shortcut,

    • the canned blank document opens
    • with my chosen spacing
    • with my chosen font & font size
    • and at the very top of the document, in front of that space - so it doesn't start in column 2

    If by some usual occurrence, I try to save the file without doing Save As, WordPad automatically defaults to Save As because it won't overwrite the readonly template I've created.

    Not the way I'd prefer to do it but Msoft is too smart (see "sarcasm") to let me change their default.

    Bardy

    Baltimore MD

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-08-13T12:52:54+00:00

    I rebooted my windows 7 this morning and was back to double spacing again.  I clicked on the upper left line icon but could not get the checkmark out of the box to turn off the double spacing.  i clicked ctrl+1 but it did not work.  Now I can't find Andy

    Ottoman's explaination which worked the first time even though I thought I bookmarked it.

    Peter Fricano

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