Inconsistent single spacing in Word 5.1, Word 98, Word X

External Since: Nov 12, 2003 Posts: 3

Selecting "single" for line spacing in the' Format paragraph' pulldown produces a tighter spacing (i.e. less space beween lines) in Word 5.1 than in Word 98. Although a Word 5.1 document opened in Word 98 has tight spacing, and may be used as a template, copying the Word 5.1 text into a new Word 98 document produces the "new" or wider spacing. My results with Word X have been maddening; I have at times gotten tight spacing (which I want, for submission of scientific abstracts where space is limited to one page) at times wide spacing. Using other options such as variable point spacing, or fractional line spacing does *not* solve the problem, as the hangers on g's, p's, and j's etc get truncated, even tho' there is white space to spare between lines.

Comparing a 'tight' and an 'wide' spaced document in Word X reveals no differences (that I can find) in the 'Format paragraph' pull down. Any help or insight will be much much appreciated

External Since: Aug 12, 2003 Posts: 53

In article ,
Slim_Harpo wrote:

> Selecting "single" for line spacing in the' Format paragraph' pulldown
> produces a tighter spacing (i.e. less space beween lines) in Word 5.1 than in
> Word 98. Although a Word 5.1 document opened in Word 98 has tight spacing,
> and may be used as a template, copying the Word 5.1 text into a new Word 98
> document produces the "new" or wider spacing. My results with Word X have
> been maddening; I have at times gotten tight spacing (which I want, for
> submission of scientific abstracts where space is limited to one page) at
> times wide spacing. Using other options such as variable point spacing, or
> fractional line spacing does *not* solve the problem, as the hangers on g's,
> p's, and j's etc get truncated, even tho' there is white space to spare
> between lines.
>
> Comparing a 'tight' and an 'wide' spaced document in Word X reveals no
> differences (that I can find) in the 'Format paragraph' pull down. Any help
> or insight will be much much appreciated

1. Play with the compatibility preferences. You may find that rewarding.
2. If you want precise control of line spacing, set it up the way you
want in each style definition. Or format -> paragraph -> indents and
spacing ->spacing ->line spacing - Exactly at -> however many points
you say.

Avoid the 'at least' setting, especially if you have lots of subscripts
and superscripts. Word makes a meal of that. You are better off setting
expressions and equations off on their own line so the reader is not
distracted by body text looking out of whack.

3. I'd be interested to see how you get the tails of descenders to
disappear. On my Postscript printer or after print to PDF they just
jumble into the line below. On screen, the display chops 'em off, but
that's Word for ya.

PS. Intercharacter and interword spacing on screen in Word is all over
the place (at least with my favourite Postscript fonts). Fortunately it
comes a bit better when printed. It is always a bit like a ransom note
though.

Consider what a food processor does to food.