Double-spacing won't save in .doc & .docx files

Question

Double-spacing won't save in .doc & .docx files

No matter what program I use, no .doc or .docx file i create will save with double line spacing, making it impossible to create MLA-type papers for college. No combination of creating other formats and saving as .doc/.docx has worked, and neither has moving between programs; the problem persists in Pages, TextEdit, and Document Writer Pro. As soon as I save a .doc/.docx file with double-spacing, I can go into Finder and preview the file and see that it was saved without double-spacing. I've tried deleting the relevant preferences file for TextEdit in the Library folder, to no avail. I've also tried changing the default settings in each program to include double line spacing, which makes no difference in the saved file. I'm able to create other files (.rtf, .pages, etc) just fine, but I have to turn in .doc or .docx files for college.

Mac Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.3)

Posted on Jan 28, 2017 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 28, 2017 3:12 PM in response to Atlantic Sailor

I have tested this in Bean, TextEdit, Pages 6.05, LibreOffice, opening all documents in Microsoft Word v15.17.1 (151217).

Bean .doc retains double spacing, .docx does not.

TextEdit neither .doc nor .docx retain double spacing. However .rtf does retain double spacing.

LibreOffice both .doc and .docx retain double spacing.

Pages 6.05 both .doc and .docx retain double spacing.

Reopening the .doc and .docx in the original App does retain the double spacing, so I am guessing there is a problem on the MsWord side. Logically the formatting must be there or the App can not read it.

You did not say what version of Pages you are using. Nor why you are not using MsWord if the formatting is so crucial.

Peter

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Answer 2

Jan 28, 2017 3:26 PM in response to Atlantic Sailor

Just checked with Document Writer, I won't pay for the Pro version, it seems pointless.

Document Writer neither .doc nor .xml open with double spacing. Need the Pro version for .docx.

There are Apps which work and Apps which either don't work or work in only certain formats. It is not true that no programs work, unless there is something else that you haven't told us.

There are cheap and sometimes free installations of MsOffice for students. Why not use them?

Peter

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,182 points

Jan 28, 2017 4:25 PM in response to Atlantic Sailor

Whether you are using Office 2011 for Mac, or Office 2016 for Mac, it is crucial that you keep either, current with their available updates, especially with evolving Sierra releases.

As a student, you should be using Word, so that you can work in the native document format, and avoid the translation, and document layout issues that result from using other word processing solutions that export doc/x files. The college faculty will appreciate it, your grades will reflect it, and your future employer(s) expect it.

As Peter has pointed out, and depending on your school, you may have access to very reasonable to free pricing on Office for Students. In the U.S., Microsoft has separate discounts for students, and military (including veteran's).

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