Line Spacing in Text Box Looks Wrong (150869)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint 98 Macintosh Edition
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Macintosh 3.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Macintosh 4.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 4.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 4.0a
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 4.0c
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q150869

SYMPTOMS

When you create text boxes in Microsoft PowerPoint, you may notice that the spacing between text lines is inconsistent.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if you create restraining text boxes by drawing a rectangle or square on your slide. When you work in a restraining text box and you press the RETURN key before you reach the end of the text box, PowerPoint assumes that you want to start a new paragraph.

PowerPoint will set the before paragraph value to be .5 (the default). This will give the illusion of an incorrect line spacing setting.

WORKAROUND

To avoid this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Method 1: If your text box is not already created

Create the text box using these steps:
  1. Click the Text Tool button.
  2. Click the slide.

    The insertion point will be displayed on the slide.
  3. Type the first line of text and then press RETURN.

    PowerPoint will treat the second line of text as the same paragraph.

Method 2: If your text box is already created

Change the before paragraph value to zero, using these steps:
  1. Click the line of text after the spacing.
  2. On the Format menu, click Line Spacing.
  3. Change the Before Paragraph value to zero.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:kbprb kbusage KB150869
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.