How To Adjust Line Spacing in PDFs

Why Is Adjusting Line Spacing in PDFs Tricky?

PDFs are designed to look the same everywhere, on any device. But that consistency also means PDFs don’t play nice when you need to make edits, like adjusting line spacing. Unlike Word documents, PDFs aren’t built for easy changes.

So, what happens if you need to tweak the text spacing? An old company document might look squished, or a report you receive could have too much space between lines. There is an easy fix, and you don’t need any expensive software or skills to do it.

How to Adjust Line Spacing in PDFs

To adjust line spacing in PDFs, all you need is Smallpdf and Word:

1. Import your PDF into our PDF Converter.
2. Select “Word (.docx)” from the “Convert to:” options.
3. Save the converted document and open it in Microsoft Word.
4. Select your text and go to “Line and Paragraph Spacing” in the toolbar.
5. Choose single, 1.5, or double spacing—whichever looks best.
6. Save your changes when you’re done—that’s it!

Of course, saving your changes only updates the Word document. To convert it back to PDF format, you can choose the “Save a Copy…” option in Word and change the file format to PDF. Alternatively, you can head back to our PDF Converter, upload the Word document, and it will automatically be converted back to PDF.

After converting back to PDF, review the document to make sure the spacing is consistent.

Keep an eye on text alignment and font size. Sometimes small tweaks to these can make a big difference in how good your document looks.

Why Use Smallpdf & Word?

If you’re wondering why Smallpdf and Word are the right combo for this, here’s why:

1. They’re super easy to use. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get the job done.
2. The tools are quick and secure, so your files are safe while you work.
3. Smallpdf works on any device, so you can convert PDFs whether you’re on a computer, phone, or tablet.

Plus, Smallpdf is free for basic tasks like converting, splitting, merging, and compressing PDF files.

Common Questions About Line Spacing in PDFs

How do I change the line spacing in a PDF?

The simplest workaround is to convert the PDF to Word, adjust the line spacing there (it’s so much easier), and then save it back as a PDF. It’s quick and painless if you follow the steps outlined earlier.

How do I edit spaces in a PDF?

PDFs aren’t made for fine-tuning spacing, but Word makes this super easy. Convert your PDF to Word, adjust the spacing just how you want it (line, paragraph, or uneven text gaps), and then turn it back into a PDF. The step-by-step guide above walks you through the whole thing. You’ll love how smooth it is!

How do I remove spacing in a PDF?

You have two options: use the “Line and Paragraph Spacing” tool in Word to adjust line spacing or manually delete any extra line breaks. Once done, save your file and convert it back to PDF.

Can you adjust text spacing in PDF fields?

Unfortunately, text spacing in fillable PDF fields can’t really be adjusted. Fillable fields are designed with fixed settings, so the spacing is determined when the form is created.

With Smallpdf and Microsoft Word, you can adjust line spacing in your PDFs quickly and easily without any stress. And you don't need to first install any other software to get started.