The page size of a document refers to its length and width.
In Google Docs, the default page size (or paper size) is the ‘Letter’ format. In this format, the width of the document is 8.5 inches and its length is 11 inches.
Google Docs allows you to change the default page size. You can choose from one of the many options for page size formats. Some examples are tabloid, legal, A3 and A4.
However, Google Docs doesn’t allow you to customise your page size. This means that you have to use one of the existing formats for page sizes. You cannot create your own format.
There are methods we can use to overcome this limitation. In this article, we will be talking about three of these methods.
3 ways to setup custom page size in Google Docs
- Look at the available page sizes and choose one that is similar to the one you want
- Use add-ons like Page Sizer
- Use ‘Print’ to change the page size of the document (you can save it as well)
Note that this article is written for complete beginners. Hence, even if you’ve never used Google Docs before or are not familiar with it, you can follow along.
With that introduction, let’s start.
Method 1: Look at the available page sizes and choose one that is similar to the one you want
This isn’t a method for customising the page size of your Google Doc. In this method, you first look at the existing options for page sizes. If you find one that matches your desired page size or is similar to it, you can choose it.
The benefit of this method is that it is simple. It takes less time and effort than installing an add-on. However, this method doesn’t give you a lot of flexibility. You cannot choose a page width and length of your choice- you can only choose from the existing options.
Let’s learn the steps for this method.
Step 1: Open your Google Docs document.
The first step is to open your Google Docs document. To do this, first go to the Google Docs homepage at docs.google.com. Type this in your browser’s search bar and press enter. Make sure that you are first signed in to your Google account.
Once you are on Google Docs’ homepage, you can open the document whose page size you want to change. To open an existing document, select a file under ‘Recent documents’.
You can also create a new document using one of two methods. The first method is to create a blank document by clicking on the plus sign at the top left of the screen. The second method is to choose one of the templates from the template gallery. Here, you’ll find templates for all sorts of documents, including reports and resumes.
Step 2: Click on the ‘File’ tab.
Once you have your Google Docs document in front of you, open the ‘File’ tab. This is the very first tab in the toolbar, at the top left corner of the screen.
Step 3: Click on ‘Page setup.’
From the ‘File’ menu, click on ‘Page setup.’ This option is towards the end of the menu. Doing so will open the Page setup window.
Step 4: Change the ‘Apply to’ setting to ‘Whole document.’
The ‘Apply to’ setting is the very first option in the Page setup window. Generally, the default ‘Apply to’ setting is ‘This section’. Click on it and change the setting to ‘Whole document’. This is necessary for changing the page size.
If the default setting in your window is ‘Whole document’, you can skip this step.
Step 5: Choose one of the options for paper size.
The last step is to choose an option for paper size. The default paper size in Google Docs is ‘Letter’. You can click on this to see the other options for paper sizes.
Think about the page size that you want. Then, see if any of the options match this size or are similar to it. If you find one, click on that option.
Once you have chosen an option, click on ‘OK’ to apply the changes.
If you were unable to find the right page size, you can follow one of our other two methods.
Method 2: Use add-ons like Page Sizer
This next method involves using an add-on to customise your page size. An add-on is a software you can install in Google Docs to do things that Google Docs doesn’t give you the option to do. For example, you can install an add-on for adding citations to your document.
In our case, Google Docs doesn’t allow you to choose whichever page size you want. This is why we can install an add-on to customise our page size. In this section, we will be talking about one such add-on: Page Sizer.
The main benefit of this method is that it gives you a lot of flexibility. You can enter any number for the length and width of your page. However, there is one drawback. If you already have a lot of add-ons, installing a new one can slow down your document.
With that said, here are the steps for this method.
Step 1: Click on the ‘Add-ons’ tab.
The first step is to click on the ‘Add-ons’ tab at the top left corner of the screen. This tab is at the very end of the toolbar.
Step 2: Click on ‘Get add-ons’ from the drop-down menu.
Next, click on the ‘Get add-ons’ option from the drop-down menu. This will open a window on your screen where you can search for add-ons.
Step 3: Type ‘Page Sizer’ in the search box.
At the top right corner of the add-ons window, you will find a search box. In this box, type the name of the add-on we want to look for: Page Sizer.
Step 4: Click on the add-on icon and install it.
Next, click on the add-on icon. You will then be taken to a page where you will find more information about the add-on. For example, you can see the reviews that past users of this add-on have given. You can also find images of how the add-on can be used in Google Docs.
Once you’ve taken a look at all this information, you are ready to install the add-on. To do this, simply click on the blue ‘Install’ button at the very top of the page.
This will open a dialog box asking you for your permission to install the add-on. Click on ‘Continue’. You will be taken to another page where you will select a Google account to use.
Once you’ve chosen your Google account, click on ‘Allow’. This will install the Page Sizer add-on.
A dialog box will confirm that your add-on has been installed. You can now close the ‘Add-ons’ window and get back to your Google Docs document.
Step 5: Customise your page size using the Page Sizer add-on.
Now it’s time to actually start using the add-on. To do this, we first have to open the Add-ons tab once again. Click on this tab, then select the Page Sizer option from the drop-down menu.
Next, click on ‘Set page size’. You can now set your page size to any number you want. You also have multiple options for the units of your dimensions.
Once you are done inputting the page dimensions and units, click on ‘Apply’. The changes will now be reflected in your document.
Method 3: Use ‘Print’ to change the page size of the document (you can save it as well)
This method is similar to the first method. You can choose one of the options for page sizes in the print window.
This method is useful if you want to change your page size without installing an add-on. It is also useful if you want to print your document. The print window also gives more options for page sizes than Google Docs.
Below are the steps for this method.
Step 1: Open the print window.
The first step is to open the print window. You can do this using two methods. The first method is to press Control + P (or Command + P if you’re using a Mac).
The second method is to click on the ‘File’ tab then select ‘Print’ from the drop-down menu.
Step 2: Click on ‘More settings’ then choose a paper size.
In the print window, click on the ‘More settings’ option. This will show all the other options for formatting your document.
The first option is ‘Paper size’. Click on the box next to ‘Paper size’ to change the default page size. You can choose the option that best matches the page size you want.
Step 3: Print your document or save it as a PDF.
To print the document, simply click on the blue ‘Print’ button at the bottom of the window.
To save it as a PDF, click on the ‘Print using system dialog’ button. This will open a dialog box. Here, select the ‘Microsoft Print to PDF’ option. You can now save your document.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of our article! Here’s a brief recap of everything we learned.
Google Docs doesn’t give you the option of choosing any page size you want. You have to choose a page size from one of the existing options.
Sometimes, you can find a format you like- either in the ‘Page setup’ window or the print window.
If you don’t, you can install an add-on called Page Sizer that will allow you to enter an exact page width and length.
Thank you for reading!
How to setup custom page size in Microsoft Word.
This is so helpful! Thank You!