In Microsoft Word, justifying text or images means aligning the text to both the left and right margins, creating a straight line on both sides.
You can justify word text or images to the left, to the right or to both sides.
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Table of Contents
This is How to justify text in Microsoft Word (Typographic alignment)
Copying Styles between MS Word documents is quick and relatively easy.
Fast Reference Steps – Quick Summary
- Open Styles Box
- Select the Text
- Use the Ribbon
- Click on the Justify Button
Need More Detail? Then Try These Steps
Step 1: Open Styles Box
Step 2: Select the Text
- Highlight the text you want to justify.
Step 3: Use the Ribbon
- Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.
Step 4: Click on the Justify Button
- Look for the alignment options in the Paragraph group.
- There are four alignment buttons: Justify Left, Justify Center, Justify Right, and Justify both sides.
- Click on the “Justify” button (icon typically looks like lines on both sides).
Keyboard Shortcut
You can also use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + J (Windows) or Command + J (Mac).
Your selected text should now be justified, with even spacing on both the left and right margins. Keep in mind that justified text can sometimes result in uneven word spacing, which might not look aesthetically pleasing.
If you encounter this issue, you may need to manually adjust the spacing or consider using other alignment options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Justifying Word Text or Images
How do I Justify Text or Images in MS Word?
Open Styles Box, Select the Text, Use the Ribbon, Click on the Justify Button
Can I justify only part of a paragraph in MS Word?
Yes. Highlight the specific portion of text you want to justify, then click the Justify button on the Home tab or use the shortcut Ctrl + J. Only the selected text will be affected.
Why does my justified text have large gaps between words?
This happens when Word stretches text to align both left and right margins, especially in narrow columns or with long words. You can reduce gaps by adjusting spacing: go to Layout → Paragraph → Justification → Distributed or tweak font size and spacing.
Can images be justified like text in Word?
Not exactly. Images can be aligned left, center, or right, but “justifying” an image across margins isn’t supported. To mimic justification, you can use tables or text wrapping to position images evenly.
How do I set justified text as the default in Word?
Go to the Home tab → Styles → Normal → Modify, then set the alignment to Justify. Check “New documents based on this template” to make all future documents default to justified text.
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