Setting Microsoft Word 2000 Margins for Theses and Dissertations
The margins represent white space with no intrusion of text or image. More white space in the margin is fine; less white space is not acceptable. The margin settings apply to every page in the document, including appendix pages. When the theses and dissertations are processed at the bindery, they are trimmed on all four sides, so the presence of adequate margins is critical.
Microsoft Word is a bit tricky, so follow the instructions below.
- Open Microsoft Word and select File, then select Page Setup
- Click the Default button so that all new files created will have same margin settings
- Check the box that says Mirror Margins (Note: ignore this step if submitting electronic copy.)
- Change settings as needed (see below)
- Apply changes to Whole Document
- If document is divided into multiple files, go through steps 1-5 for all other files associated with document.
NOTE: If you did not check 'mirror margins' prior to inserting your page numbers, you will need to change the alignment of page numbers from 'Right' to 'Outside' alignment.
For page numbers placed at top of page, the required margins are:
- TOP: 1.3 inches
- HEADER (page number): 1 inch
- BOTTOM: 1 inch
- INSIDE: 1.5 inches
- OUTSIDE: 1 inch
For page numbers placed at bottom of page, the required margins are:
- TOP: 1 inch
- BOTTOM: 1.3 inches
- FOOTER (page number): 1 inch
- INSIDE: 1.5 inches
- OUTSIDE: 1 inch
