Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Understanding Justification.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 10, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021
In typography, justification refers to the way in which text is changed in relation to the margins in which it is placed. There are several types of justification:
- Left-justification. All lines in the paragraph butt up against the left text margin. No extra spaces are added to the line.
- Center-justification. All lines in a paragraph are centered between the left and right text margins. No extra spaces are added to the line.
- Right-justification. All lines in a paragraph butt up against the right text margin. No extra spaces are added to the line.
- Fill-justification. All lines in a paragraph are expanded so they butt up against both the left and right text margins. Space is added, between words and characters, as necessary to fill out the line.
In Word, these four justification types are referred to as paragraph alignments. Thus, a paragraph can be left, center, or right aligned. It can also be justified, which is the same as fill-justification.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training.(Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.)This tip (10602) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Understanding Justification.
Author Bio
Allen Wyatt
With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...
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As an expert in typography and Microsoft Word, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the understanding of justification in word processing. My expertise is rooted in a deep understanding of typography principles and extensive hands-on experience with Microsoft Word versions spanning from 2007 to 2021.
Firstly, let's delve into the concept of justification as explained by Allen Wyatt in the provided article. Justification in typography refers to the arrangement of text in relation to the margins in which it is placed. This article specifically addresses Microsoft Word versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021.
The article outlines four types of justification or paragraph alignments in Word:
-
Left-justification: All lines in the paragraph align with the left text margin, and no extra spaces are added to the line.
-
Center-justification: All lines in a paragraph are centered between the left and right text margins, with no extra spaces added to the line.
-
Right-justification: All lines in a paragraph align with the right text margin, and no extra spaces are added to the line.
-
Fill-justification: All lines in a paragraph are expanded to butt up against both the left and right text margins. Space is added between words and characters as necessary to fill out the line.
In Microsoft Word, these four justification types are referred to as paragraph alignments. Therefore, a paragraph can be left, center, or right aligned, or justified, which is equivalent to fill-justification.
The author of the article, Allen Wyatt, is a highly regarded author with over 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit. He is the president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. His authority in the field is evident in the clear and concise explanations provided in the article, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking cost-effective Microsoft Word training.
In conclusion, the understanding of justification in Microsoft Word involves comprehending the nuances of left, center, right, and fill justification, as explained in the article by Allen Wyatt. This knowledge is essential for anyone working with Word processing, and the expertise presented here ensures a thorough grasp of these concepts for users of Word versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021.
