How to Make a Google Doc Landscape

Need to rotate your Google Doc? Switching to landscape takes only a few steps on desktop or mobile.

This guide shows you how to change the entire document, use section breaks for mixed portrait and landscape pages, and troubleshoot missing options. You’ll also learn how to make landscape the default for future Docs and how orientation works on Android, iPhone, and iPad.

Quick Steps to Switch Your Google Doc to Landscape

To Change the Whole Document

1. Open your document.
2. Go to “File,” then select “Page setup.”
3. Choose “Landscape” and click “OK.”

To Rotate Only One Page

1. Place your cursor where the new section starts.
2. Go to “Insert,” choose “Break,” then select “Section break (Next page).”
3. Open “File,” then “Page setup.”
4. Under “Apply to,” choose “This section.”
5. Select “Landscape” and click “OK.”

On Mobile

• Android: Open the three-dot menu, tap “Page setup,” then tap “Orientation” and choose “Landscape.”
• iPhone/iPad: Open the three-dot menu, tap “Page setup,” then tap “Orientation” and choose “Landscape.”

If the Landscape Option is Missing

Your document is likely in Pageless mode. Go to “File,” select “Page setup,” and switch the format to “Pages.”

How to Make a Google Doc Landscape on Desktop

Note: This feature isn’t available in pageless format. To use landscape orientation, make sure your document is in pages format by going to “File,” select “Page setup,” and switch the format to “Pages.”

• Open the Google Doc you wish to adjust.
• Click “File” in the top menu.
• Select “Page setup” from the dropdown menu.
• In the dialog box, under “Orientation,” choose “Landscape.”
• Click “OK” to apply the changes.

While in Page setup, you can also adjust:

• Page margins
• Paper size
• Page color

If you’d like to open new Google Docs in landscape mode by default, click “Set as default” before hitting “OK.”

How to Make One Page Landscape in Google Docs

Google Docs now supports mixed orientations using section breaks. This means you can have some pages in portrait and others in landscape within the same document. 1. Place your cursor where you want the landscape section to begin. 2. Place your cursor where you want the landscape section to begin. 3. Go to “Insert,” choose “Break,” and select “Section break (Next page).” 4. Place your cursor in the new section you just created. 5. Go to “File,” then select “Page setup.” 6. Under “Apply to,” choose “This section.” 7. Select “Landscape” and click “OK.”

To return to portrait, insert another section break and repeat the steps above, choosing “Portrait” instead.

Tip: To show section breaks in your document, open “View” and select “Show section breaks.”

How to Change Google Docs to Landscape on Mobile

The mobile app also supports landscape orientation changes. Here’s how to do it on different devices.

Android Steps

1. Open your document in the Google Docs app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Page setup.”
4. Tap “Orientation” and choose “Landscape.”
5. Tap the back arrow to save your changes.

iPhone and iPad Steps

1. Open your document in the Google Docs app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Page setup.”
4. Tap “Orientation” and choose “Landscape.”
5. Tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Common Issues When Changing to Landscape

Running into problems? Here are the most common issues and their solutions.

Can’t Find the Landscape Option?

If you don’t see the orientation settings, your document is likely in Pageless format. Go to “File,” select “Page setup,” and change the format from “Pageless” to “Pages.” You’ll then be able to choose “Landscape.”

How Do I See Where My Section Breaks Are?

Section breaks are often hidden, which makes it difficult to tell where different orientations apply. To show them, open “View” and select “Show section breaks.” This will display dotted lines where each break is located.

How to Print Your Google Doc in Landscape

If your document is already set to landscape, printing it is straightforward. Open “File,” select “Print,” and check the preview to confirm the orientation.

If the preview still shows portrait, return to “Page setup,” make sure “Landscape” is selected under “Orientation,” and apply the change before printing again.

When to Use Smallpdf for Document Formatting

Google Docs handles page orientation and basic layout work well, and you should always change your document to landscape directly in Google Docs first. If you need to combine files, prepare documents with mixed orientations, or convert your final layout to another format, Smallpdf can help you tidy things up.

Tools like Merge PDF, PDF to Word, and Organize PDF make it easier to assemble files, maintain your layout, or share your document as a clean PDF.

If you regularly work with complex documents, upgrading to Smallpdf Pro unlocks faster processing, larger file-size support, and unlimited tasks, with a 7-day free trial available if you want to test these features before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Docs Landscape

Why can’t I find the landscape option in Google Docs?

If you don’t see orientation settings, your document is likely in Pageless format. Go to “File,” choose “Page setup,” and change the format from “Pageless” to “Pages.” After switching, the “Landscape” option will appear.

How do I make only one page landscape?

Insert a section break, place your cursor in the new section, open “File,” then “Page setup.” Under “Apply to,” choose “This section.” Select “Landscape” and confirm your changes.

How do I see where my section breaks are?

To show hidden section breaks, open “View” and select “Show section breaks.” Dotted lines will appear wherever a break is located.

How do I print a Google Doc in landscape?

Set the document to “Landscape” in “Page setup.” Then open the print dialog. The print preview will match the landscape orientation.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for opening Page setup?

There is no dedicated landscape shortcut, but you can open “Page setup” with Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Command + Shift + P on a Mac.

Can I set landscape as the default for new Google Docs?

Yes. In “Page setup,” choose “Landscape,” then click “Set as default.”

Does landscape orientation work in the Google Docs mobile app?

Yes. Both Android and iOS support landscape changes. Open the three-dot menu, select “Page setup,” tap “Orientation,” and choose “Landscape.”