Document Formatting
In the corporate world, documents help make a lasting impression. Formatting an official document should not be hard to crack since you only need to focus on key factors such as font, paragraphing, font size, headings, and subheadings. Your document’s format often depends on the subject matter and to whom it is addressed. Sending professionally formatted documents to your suppliers and clients is a way to let them know they are valued and guarantees clarity in communication.
But what is formatting a document? Formatting a document is the act of adding visual touches to it to make it easy to read and look appealing. It entails addressing things like margins, font, and alignment. There are four different types of document formatting, namely, page formatting, paragraph formatting, font formatting, and section formatting. Let’s delve into more details by unraveling top tips for formatting written pieces for enhanced readability.
Select a Suitable Font
Fonts add attractiveness and engagement to a document. The secret to nailing how to format document using a font is to consider the context of the document. For example, a document meant to pass an announcement for a product or service launch should take a different format than the one intended to pass a formal message. Documents such as official letters or memorandums are always appropriate with the Times New Roman or Arial font. In contrast, an advertisement document can be better with fonts such as Futura and Gotham.
Selecting a font that matches the context of your document shows your clients or vendors that you are meticulous. Being this thorough with your document, like an expert at a typing service, could be the key to striking that business deal.
Use Uniform Font Size
One may use varying font sizes to save space or make the document more attractive. It is a reasonable idea; however, it is best to stick to a similar font size throughout the piece for uniformity and organization. An official document font size should range from 10-12. Using a smaller font size makes the document harder to read. Readers are less likely to complete reading a piece with a smaller font size. Using a font size above 12 will also make the document unprofessional. If you are trying to save on space, you can reduce the word count instead of shrinking the font size. Additionally, if any words need emphasis, you can use bold or italics to highlight them.
Use Paragraphs
Separating your text into paragraphs is among the essential things to consider for proper organization. Placing every issue in different paragraphs is essential when typing a professional document. Breaking down the information into paragraphs makes it easy for the reader to follow through with the issues being addressed. Additionally, ensure the lines in your paragraphs are well-spaced for better readability. Single-spaced lines often appear more formal and organized.
Use Uniform Page Size and Margins
Like your font size, your margins and page size should be uniform for the best Word document formatting. Printing a document with varying margins and page sizes may appear unprofessional and affect the recipients’ attitude toward the piece. Sometimes, you might be tempted to shrink the margins and page size to fit in images and more content, but it’s not a good idea.
A document’s contents should fit into the one-inch margin from all sides, that is, left and right margins. However, the left margin can stretch to 1.25. Sticking to the standard margins makes it easy for your recipient to handle the document, especially if it is sent in soft copy format. Sending out a perfectly margined document means the recipient will not have to make any adjustments, especially when making a printout.
Use Different Sentence Lengths
Use a blend of long and short sentences to make your document look superb, like one written by a professional from a document formatting service. Long sentences can be tedious, while using a lot of short sentences, on the other hand, may make the work look choppy. Therefore, use short and long sentences to give the document a professional outlook. Complicated sentences often take up the readers’ time, and they may get discouraged from going through the whole document. Therefore, for long sentences, use easy-to-understand words so the reader does not have to spend more time on such sentences.
Align Paragraphs to the Left
One of the crucial document formatting guidelines is proper paragraph alignment. Justified alignment is best applied in magazines and some books to make the writing more appealing. However, this alignment is not suitable for a professional document. Additionally, center-aligning your work makes it hard for the reader to go through it, especially for long texts. Readers prefer readily accessible information. While using center alignment may be preferable for short paragraphs or texts, the standard left alignment is best.
Divide the Work Using Headings and Subheadings
Another genius tip on how to format a Word document to look professional is to divide it into sections with headings. It is especially applicable when creating a lengthy document with different discussion subjects. Headings and subheadings make it easier for the reader to flow through as they make the reader aware of a transition to a different subject or further clarification. Therefore, it is best to add headings to keep the reader engaged throughout the piece. But keep them brief and straightforward.
Final Take
The outlook of a document impacts how the reader perceives the information. Thus, it’s imperative to format any piece of writing properly. A formal document must display a high level of professionalism. For this reason, when typing a formal document, you have to pay attention to minor details such as fonts and paragraph alignment since they contribute to the eventual readability of the document. Your reader can notice how much effort is placed in typing a document just from its appearance. Therefore, to show your clients, prospective investors, and vendors that you value their input in your organization, it is best to present a well-typed document that is easy to read and comprehend.
