How to Alter the Vertical Side Ruler in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a powerful word processing tool that offers a wide range of features to help users create professional documents. One of the essential features is the vertical side ruler, which allows users to adjust the margins and spacing of their documents. However, sometimes you may need to alter the vertical side ruler to fit your specific requirements. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to alter the vertical side ruler in Microsoft Word.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word

To begin, open Microsoft Word on your computer. If you don’t have Word installed, you can use the free online version available at office.com.

Step 2: Access the Ruler

Once Word is open, you will see a horizontal ruler at the top of the document and a vertical ruler on the left side. To alter the vertical side ruler, you need to make sure it is visible. If the vertical ruler is not visible, you can enable it by going to the “View” tab in the ribbon and checking the “Ruler” box.

Step 3: Adjust the Margin

To alter the vertical side ruler, you can adjust the margin by clicking and dragging the margin markers on the vertical ruler. The margin markers are the small lines on the ruler that indicate the margin width. By clicking and dragging these markers, you can increase or decrease the margin size.

Step 4: Lock the Ruler

If you want to prevent accidental changes to the vertical side ruler, you can lock it in place. To do this, click on the “View” tab in the ribbon, then click on the “Ruler” box to toggle it off. This will hide the vertical ruler, and it will not be visible or adjustable until you turn it back on.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

After you have made the desired adjustments to the vertical side ruler, it is essential to save your changes. To save your document, go to the “File” tab in the ribbon and click on “Save” or press “Ctrl + S” on your keyboard.

Conclusion

Altering the vertical side ruler in Microsoft Word is a straightforward process that can help you customize your document’s layout. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily adjust the margin and lock the ruler to prevent accidental changes. Remember to save your changes to ensure that your document reflects the desired layout.