How to Change the Margins for a Document


In order to change the margins in a document you need to change the master pages. (Note: look at the PARAGRAPH FORMATS answers for information on changing the margins for a paragraph as opposed to the whole document.)

First select Master from the Page menu. You will see a blank page with outlines of boxes, as well as any header/footer/graphics you may have on the page already. At the bottom of the window, it will also state the name of the page, most likely either Right or Left. Make sure to take note of this name.

Select the text column for which you wish to change the margin (Ctrl-left-mouse-button). You will notice that the selected box has small black squares all around it. To move the edge of the column move the mouse over one of these black boxes. The mouse pointer will change to an arrow pointing in the direction of the edge. Click the left button and slide the edge until you have it at the desired side. For accuracy there is a reference line that moves along the top of the ruler.

Once you have changed the margins of a text column, you need to apply the change to the appropriate pages. Select Body from the Page menu, and then select Column Layout from the Page menu. In the new window, choose to Apply the Master page you just editted, to either:

Then click on OK. If you scroll through the pages of your document you will see that the changes have been applied.