Build Your Volume - Format a Paperback Manuscript (Give-and-take for Windows)
In this pace-by-step video guide, we walk you through formatting a paperback manuscript in Microsoft Discussion. The information is specific to the 2022 version of Word, simply the steps are similar in most versions.
Meet our separate guides for formatting a paperback in Microsoft Word for Mac and Pages for Mac. Alternatively, you tin can try our Kindle Create tool to format your paperback interiors.
To help ensure that your book meets KDP'due south bones specifications, follow all the steps in this guide except those marked "advanced." If you want your book to see the standards many designers follow, complete all the steps. If you desire details on any pace or prefer written guidance, interruption the video and check out the step-by-step instructions. If yous want to print all the instructions and tips, download this guide in PDF format:
Setting trim size and margins
A few primal terms before you lot start:
Trim size. Your printed book's width and height. The most mutual trim size for paperbacks in the U.S. is half-dozen" x 9" (fifteen.24 x 22.86 cm), but you lot have several other options . In Word, you ready your trim size with the Folio Size option.
Bleed. Bleed is a printing term that refers to when printed objects on a page, such as images, background color, or graphics, extend past where the publication volition be trimmed. This ensures your printed objects attain all the way to the edge of the page. When a book is printed, all pages are trimmed to the selected trim size by cutting 0.125" (3.2 mm) from the summit, bottom, and exterior edges. In society for objects on your page to accomplish all the way to the edge of the folio, those objects must extend by where the page will be trimmed past 0.125" (three.ii mm). Bookkeeping for bleed is important considering it prevents a white border from actualization at the border of the page when the book is trimmed. The video and step-by-step instructions explain how to fix page size and margins for books with and without bleed. For more information on bleed see our Print Options Assist page.
Margins. Every page has three exterior margins (top, lesser, and side) and ane inside margin (also chosen the gutter). Margins ensure your text isn't cut off during manufacturing. Set your page size before you set your margins. Why? Margin size depends on page count and on whether you have elements that bleed. Meet this chart to discover your margin size:
Page count
Within (gutter) margins
Outside margins (no bleed)
Outside margins (with bleed)
24 to 150 pages
0.375 in (ix.6 mm)
at least 0.25 in (vi.4 mm)
at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm)
151 to 300 pages
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
at least 0.25 in (6.four mm)
at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm)
301 to 500 pages
0.625 in (15.9 mm)
at least 0.25 in (6.four mm)
at to the lowest degree 0.375 in (9.6 mm)
501 to 700 pages
0.75 in (19.1 mm)
at least 0.25 in (6.four mm)
at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm)
701 to 828 pages
0.875 in (22.3 mm)
at least 0.25 in (six.4 mm)
at to the lowest degree 0.375 in (9.6 mm)
Step-by-step instructions: Setting page size and margins (no bleed)
On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Size, and and then select More than Paper Sizes. This opens a dialog box.
Enter your book's trim size into the Width and Height fields.
In the Apply to list, select Whole certificate and click OK. This resizes your pages and changes your page count, which you lot need to know for setting your margins.
On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup grouping, click Margins, and then select Custom Margins. This opens a dialog box.
In the Multiple pages listing, select Mirror margins.
In the Apply to listing, select Whole certificate.
Place your margin sizes based on page count using the chart at the stop of this step.
Enter your Top, Bottom, Inside, and Exterior margins based on your book's page count. (Nosotros used .375 for our outside margin for a professional look.) Do non enter any value into the Gutter field. Click OK.
Tip: If your folio count changes, get dorsum and check the inside margin considering information technology may also demand to modify.
Stride-past-footstep instructions: Setting page size and margins (bleed)
On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Size, then select More Newspaper Sizes. This opens a dialog box.
Enter Width and Meridian fields for your trim size with drain added. Add 0.125" (iii.2 mm) to the width and 0.25" (6.four mm) to the elevation. For instance, if your trim size is 6" x 9" (fifteen.24 ten 22.86 cm) (xv.24 ten 22.86 cm), gear up the page size to 6.125" ten 9.25" (15.54 10 23.46 cm) (15.54 x 23.46 cm). Microsoft Word might round 0.125" to 0.13"; this is fine.
In the Utilise to list, select Whole certificate then click OK. This resizes your pages and changes your page count, which you need to know for setting your margins.
On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Margins, and then select Custom Margins. This opens a dialog box.
In the Multiple pages list, select Mirror margins.
In the Use to list, select Whole certificate.
Identify your margin sizes using the chart at the end of this section. The nautical chart provides the minimum requirements for your margin sizes, but we recommend a height and bottom margin of one" if you're including headers and an outside margin of 0.375" (9.half dozen mm) to give your book a more professional appearance.
Enter your Top, Bottom, Within, and Exterior margins based on your volume'southward page count. Do not enter any value into the Gutter field. Click OK.
Tip: If your page count changes, go dorsum and bank check the within margin because it may likewise need to change.
Modifying styles for a custom look
Using the styles function in Word can aid you ensure your book'due south font and spacing is consistent. You tin can utilize the preset Styles in Microsoft Give-and-take or modify them for a custom await. Using styles also saves you time because you don't have to format the font and spacing for each part of your book.
Step-by-step instructions: Setting and applying styles
Modifying the Normal mode for book body
The Normal style is used for your book'south body text. You'll choice your font and font size besides as the alignment of each paragraph, spacing between paragraphs, and the indentation of the showtime line of each paragraph. These are all style choices and so cull based on your genre.
On the Home tab, correct-click the Normal style and select Modify.
Select your Font and Font Size from the lists. (For instance, set Font Size to 10 and select the Garamond font.)
Click the Format listing and select Paragraph. This opens a dialog box.
In the dialog box:
Under Full general, gear up the Alignment to Justified.
Under Special, set up First line indent to 0.two" (v mm).
Under Spacing, ready Before and After to 0 and under Line Spacing select Unmarried.
Click OK.
Applying the Normal style to volume body
Identify the cursor before the first affiliate title and so hold down the SHIFT + PAGE Downward keys until the cursor moves to the end of your document.
Go on everything highlighted. On the Home tab, in the Styles ribbon, click the Normal style.
Tip: Applying the Normal style to all of the content after the front affair ensures that whatever hidden or unintentional formatting is changed.
Setting the Heading 1 style
On the Dwelling house tab, correct-click the Heading 1 mode and select Change. This opens a dialog box.
Select your Font, Font Size, and Color, and set the alignment to Heart. (For example, select black, Lucida Sans, 24pt, centered.)
Click the Format list and select Paragraph. This opens a dialog box.
Under Special, select (none).
Nether Spacing, prepare Earlier and After to 60pt to move the championship about a third of the fashion down the page and dissever it from the start paragraph.
Click OK on both open up boxes to salve changes.
Tip: Depending on whether the font you chose is large (example: Arial) or a minor (example: Times New Roman), you should size between 9 and 12 point. Amazon recommends nine bespeak for a larger font and 12 point for a smaller font.
Formatting chapters (section breaks and chapter titles)
Why this step matters:
Department breaks. To ensure your content begins on the correct page, utilise section breaks. Department breaks allow you to change the formatting of a specific section without affecting other sections. Add together a section break between the front matter and book body to distinguish these parts of the volume. Also, use section breaks and so each chapter title page starts on its own page.
Affiliate titles. When you format each chapter title page, apply the Heading one mode to each affiliate title. In improver to the consistent expect Heading 1 provides throughout your book, using Heading one tags the chapter title so it will announced in the table of contents, which is explained in Footstep 9.
Formatting front matter
Front thing are the sections that come before the get-go chapter. Some elements are expected and others are optional, only there is a standard order. Acquire more about front end matter elements.
Tip: Right-facing pages are odd numbered pages in printed books considering the first piece of newspaper is on the right side, facing up from the open, printed book. The back of the embrace is the left-facing folio.
Step-by-step instructions: Formatting front matter
Adding department breaks and blank pages
Use section breaks to add blank pages within the front matter as needed to ensure that pages have the proper position.
To insert a bare folio with a section break:
Insert the cursor at the top of the page that will follow the new bare page.
On the Layout tab, click the Breaks list and and so select Next Page.
To create a placeholder folio for the table of contents, add a right-facing blank page immediately earlier Chapter 1 and name it Table of Contents.
Earlier you start applying styles, make sure yous've added department breaks in between pages of your front matter as described in Step 3.
Formatting front matter pages
Half championship folio
Highlight the title text. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, select Center.
In the Font group, select your Font, Font Size, and Color. (For instance, select black, Lucida Sans, 32pt, centered.)
In the Paragraph group, click the dialog box launcher (small diagonal pointer):
Under Special, select (none).
Under Spacing, gear up Earlier to 32pt and Later to 16pt to move the chapter title nigh a third of the fashion down the folio and divide it from the kickoff paragraph.
Click OK to save changes.
Championship page
To format the title, repeat the steps in "Formatting the Half Championship Page" with the same choices of font, size, colour, alignment, and spacing.
To format the subtitle:
Cull the same Font as your title and then select Italicized, a smaller Font Size (example: 24pt), and center alignment.
In the Paragraph group, nether Spacing, set Before and Subsequently to 16pt.
To format the author proper name:
Choose the aforementioned Font equally your subtitle and then select a smaller Font Size (example: 16pt) and heart alignment.
In the Paragraph group, under Spacing, gear up Before to 16pt and After to 0.
Copyright folio
To format the copyright page, highlight all of the copyright content. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, select Center. If you lot don't have a copyright folio, you can use a template like this:
To make the copyright symbol, hold down the CTRL + ALT + C keys. If you choose a KDP ISBN, it is your ISBN-xiii. If yous have a 10-digit ISBN, change "ISBN-13" to "ISBN".
Dedication
To format the dedication, use Heading 1 to the dedication title.
Select all of the dedication content. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, select Center.
Table of contents (TOC)
You lot'll add and format the TOC in Footstep 9.
Preface, acknowledgments, and prologue pages
Utilize Heading 1 to the titles of these pages.
Apply the Normal way to the content of these pages.
In Step ii, you modified Heading 1 for all chapter titles. Using the Heading ane fashion likewise pulls anything tagged Heading ane into the Table of Contents (Footstep 9). Utilise Heading i for any forepart matter pages you desire in your TOC.
Adding pagination
Some books accept dissimilar pagination styles betwixt the front thing (Roman numerals) and book torso (Arabic numerals). If you lot're unsure whether to use unlike pagination styles (it's not typical for novels), find books with content like to yours to become an thought of what readers expect. To achieve different pagination styles, you lot have to utilize department breaks (meet Stride iii).
Step-by-pace instructions: Adding pagination
Go to the first page of Chapter 1 and double-click the bottom of the page to activate the Header & Footer Tools Design tab. Click Page Number and then select Bottom of Page and Evidently number 2.
Click Folio Number and select Format Page Numbers.
In the dialog box, make sure the Number format is 1, 2, 3 and ready the Page numbering to Outset at 1.
Click OK.
Footstep-past-stride instructions: Calculation Roman numerals to front affair
Go to the first page of your front matter and double-click the bottom of the page to activate the Header & Footer Tools Pattern tab. Click Page Number and and so select Bottom of Folio and Plain number two.
Click Page Number and select Format Page Numbers.
In the dialog box, change Number format to small Roman numerals, and set the Folio numbering to Continue from Previous Section.
Click OK.
To ensure sequent pagination, repeat this process for all front matter pages.
Pace-by-step instructions: Removing folio numbers
Removing page numbers from certain pages of front affair is a design choice and requires more Microsoft Word skill and time.
Unlinking footers between front matter and book torso
Double-click the bottom of the start folio of Chapter 1 to activate the Header & Footer Tools on the Design tab.
With your cursor in the footer, you lot'll encounter Link to Previous highlighted in the Navigation group. Click Link to Previous to deselect it.
Removing page numbers from certain front thing pages
To remove page numbers from certain forepart matter pages (case: title page, half title folio):
Double-click the bottom of the page to activate the Header & Footer Tools on the Design tab.
In the Options group of the Pattern tab, click Different First Page.
Tip: It may seem confusing to add page numbers individually and so remove some. We recommend this so the page numbers catamenia consecutively whether they are displayed or non.
Fixing page numbering issues
You lot may find the pagination is restarting at 1 at the first of a affiliate or section. To ready this:
Double-click at the bottom of each page where the numbering restarts to actuate the Header & Footer Tools on the Design tab. Click Page Number and so select Format Page Numbers.
In the dialog box, fix the Page numbering to Continue from Previous Section.
Click OK.
Adding headers (avant-garde)
Alternating headers between the book title and author name is common in book blueprint. To achieve dissimilar headers for the book content and forepart thing, you have to fix your file using section breaks (see Step iii).
Stride-by-step instructions: Adding headers
Adding headers
Go to the showtime page of Affiliate ane and double-click the top of the folio to activate the Header & Footer Tools Design tab.
In the Navigation grouping, click Link to Previous to deselect information technology. (Same every bit previous should no longer appear in the header.)
On the Header & Footer Tools Pattern tab, in the Options group, click the cheque box next to Dissimilar Odd & Even Pages.
Echo this process on the second folio of Affiliate 1. This ensures your headers do not appear in the forepart matter. If the even page numbers have been removed from your manuscript, you can add them back past double-clicking the bottom of page two of Affiliate 1 to activate the Header & Footer Tools on the Design tab. Click Page Number then select Bottom of Page and Plain number 2.
Go to the kickoff page of Chapter 1 and double-click the peak of the folio to activate the Header & Footer Tools Design tab.
In the Header & Footer group, click Header and select Blank.
To add the book title to all odd pages, select the placeholder text and replace it with the volume championship.
Highlight the book title in the header. On the Dwelling tab, in the Paragraph group, and select Center Alignment.
Select the header for page 2, and repeat steps 6 through 9 to add the author name to the even pages.
Removing headers and footers from chapter title pages
It's common for affiliate title pages not to include headers. Here'south how to remove them:
Double-click the peak of the chapter title page to activate the Header & Footer Tools on the Pattern tab.
In the Options group of the Design tab, click Dissimilar First Folio. The header and footer disappear.
Tip: You might find it more efficient to perform the tasks for each chapter title page (applying Heading 1, get-go paragraph, drop cap, and removing headers and footers) before moving on to the side by side chapter championship page. This is covered in Step vii.
Formatting chapter title pages (avant-garde)
Using a Kickoff Paragraph way and drop caps (a large uppercase letter typical for the showtime letter of the commencement discussion in a chapter) gives your chapter championship page a professional look. If you lot want to apply a drib cap, y'all might want to create a Kickoff Paragraph style with no indentation so the drop cap lines up with the paragraph alignment.
Stride-past-footstep instructions: Formatting chapter title pages
On the Home tab, in the Styles grouping, click the dialog box launcher (small diagonal arrow) to open the Styles options. Click the New Style push in the bottom left.
Proper name the new fashion First Paragraph. For Style based on, select Normal.
Click the Format push button and select Paragraph. Set Indentation and Spacing. (For example, set Special to None and Spacing Before to 54pt.)
Click OK.
Step-by-step instructions: Applying drop caps
Highlight the outset paragraph of the chapter and apply the Kickoff Paragraph style.
To add the drib cap, go along the outset paragraph highlighted and go to the Insert tab. In the Text section, click the Drop Cap card and select Dropped.
To modify the drop cap, click the Drop Cap menu and select Drop Cap Options to modify the Font, Lines to drop, and Distance from text. (For example, Lucida Sans, Lines to driblet: three, Distance from left: 0.05".)
Repeat the steps above on each chapter championship page. (For case, if y'all accept 12 capacity, you would repeat these steps 12 times.)
Adding images (advanced)
This step shows you lot how to insert images for books with and without bleed. It also shows you how to positon and styles images. Before y'all insert images, make sure they are loftier resolution.
Step-past-step instructions: Inserting images
Identify the cursor just before the place where the epitome should appear.
On the Insert tab, click Pictures and browse to find the desired image. Click Insert to add together the image.
Set the image positioning to have text wrap around information technology. This allows you lot to reposition the paradigm on the page. To fix text wrapping, click the image to open up the Moving-picture show Tools Format tab, click Position, and so select any of the options under With text wrapping.
Later applying text wrapping, you can reposition your image past dragging and dropping it.
Pace-by-step instructions: Sizing and positioning images (no bleed)
Correct-click the image and select Size and Position.
In the popular-upwardly carte, confirm that the checkbox next to Lock aspect ratio is checked. Adjust the tiptop or width every bit desired and click OK.
Make certain the prototype is inside all four margins. You tin turn on Gridlines to show where your margins begin past going to the Layout tab, clicking Align, and selecting View Gridlines. If the prototype is sized and then it is close to the margins, practice the math. Subtract your inside and exterior margins from the trim size for width and decrease top and bottom from the trim size for height. The image size cannot be larger than:
Image Size Width (No Bleed) = Trim Size – Inside Margin – Outside Margin
Image Size Top (No Bleed) = Trim Size – Top Margin – Bottom Margin
Step-by-stride instructions: Inserting images
Place the cursor just before the place where the prototype should appear.
On the Insert tab, click Pictures and browse to discover the desired image. Click Insert to add the image.
Fix the paradigm positioning to have text wrap effectually it. This allows y'all to reposition the image on the folio. To set text wrapping, click the prototype to open the Moving-picture show Tools Format tab, click Position, and so select any of the options nether With text wrapping.
After applying text wrapping, you tin can reposition your image by dragging and dropping it.
Pace-by-step instructions: Sizing and positioning images (bleed)
To size an epitome for bleed, right-click the image and select Size and Position. In the popular-up carte du jour, confirm the checkbox next to Lock aspect ratio is checked, and then adjust the height or width equally needed to make the image drain to the edge of the folio. Click OK.
To take the image bleed from side to side, set the width of your image to the width of your trim size plus 0.125" (3.ii mm). (For our example book, we sized our prototype width to 6.125" (15.54 cm).)
If you want your paradigm to bleed from elevation to bottom, ready the top of your image to .25" plus book's trim size height. (For a half dozen" ten ix" (15.24 x 22.86 cm) book, set the height to ix.25" (23.46 cm).)
Before you lot upload your interior file to KDP, make sure you cull Bleed in the KDP paperback options, on the Paperback Content tab, in the Print Options department.
Step-by-step instructions: Styling images
Click the epitome to open the Picture Tools Format tab. In the Picture show Styles group, select a frame to apply to the image.
Click Position and hover over options to show different available positions for the paradigm inside the text.
Creating a table of contents (TOC)
Non all paperbacks have a TOC. If you're unsure whether to include ane, find books with content similar to yours to get an idea of what readers expect. If yous also want to publish your book in digital format, creating a TOC at present volition save you fourth dimension. Why? Because Amazon requires all Kindle eBooks to take a TOC, which allows readers to navigate between chapters easily.
Step-by-step instructions: Creating a table of contents
Adding an automated table of contents
Highlight the tabular array of contents text on the placeholder page y'all created in Footstep iv, in the "Adding Section Breaks and Blank Pages" section. On the References tab, click Tabular array of Contents and select Automatic Table 2 to insert a new TOC.
Format the Table of Contents heading by choosing font, size, and alignment. (For example, Lucida Sans, 24pt, heart alignment.)
Updating the table of contents
To update the tabular array, click the TOC and go to the References tab.
In the Table of Contents section, click Update Table.
Proofing and exporting to PDF
At present that you're done formatting, it'southward time to exercise a terminal check and adjust some settings to ensure your file works with the KDP website. This includes:
Proofreading your manuscript using formatting symbols
Flattening transparencies
Turning off downsampling to ensure highest resolution images
Embedding all fonts
Exporting as PDF
Stride-by-step instructions: Proofing and exporting
Turn on hidden formatting symbols by clicking the paragraph symbol on the Abode tab. Coil through the document looking for any spacing bug.
To embed fonts, go to the File tab, click Options and select the Save bill of fare.
Roll to the Preserve Fidelitywhen sharing section and check the Embed fonts in the file pick. Leave other options unchecked.
Click the Advanced menu and scroll to the Image Size and Quality section.
Click the checkbox next to Do not compress images in file.
Set the default target output to 330 ppi.
Click OK to save changes.
To export as a PDF, get to the File tab, click Export, and then click Create PDF/XPS Certificate.
In the popular-up carte, click Options then click the checkbox next to ISO 9005-one compliant (PDF/A). This flattens whatsoever transparencies within the document.
Click OK to save changes.
Click the Publish push to create a PDF of the Microsoft Word document.
Yous're at present done formatting your interior file! To upload it to KDP, get to your Bookshelf.
Did this page answer your question? Aye | No
The survey is hosted by Qualtrics, so you lot'll visit their site to fill it out.
Post a Comment for "What Format Do I Have to Upload My Book to Kdf Amazon"