To beautify written text, many writers insert a large capital letter at the beginning of the paragraph or section.
The letter maybe two or more lines high, with the top of the letter aligning with the first line of the text. This makes the large letter look dropped with respect to the first line, hence its name, drop cap, or dropped capital.
Normally, creating a drop cap allows the rest of the text to surround it on two sides, positioning the letter as dropped, but it is also possible to position the drop cap within the margin of the rest of the text as if the two are in separate columns.
Word allows you to easily insert a drop cap, with an option for placing it in-margin. You can change the font, size, and the distance of the drop cap from the text. We show you in a few simple steps how you can do this.
Step #1: Open a Word Document.
Open a Word document that has some text inside. Click on the Insert tab on the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
Step #2: Open the Drop Cap Menu.
Click on Drop Cap to open the drop cap menu.
Step #3: Insert the Drop Cap
The menu has four options:
- None
- Dropped
- In margin
- Drop Cap Options
You may click on Dropped to change the first character on the first line to a dropped cap.
You may also click on In Margin to change the first character on the first line to an in margin drop cap.
Step #4: Further Control
If you want to revert the drop cap you have inserted to a normal cap, click on None in the drop cap menu (Step #2).
If you want further control over the drop cap you have inserted, click on Drop Cap Options in the drop cap menu (Step #2). This will open a dialog for more granular control.
Under Position, the dialog offers options for choosing between Dropped, In Margin, and no Drop Cap (removing the drop cap).
Under Options, you can change the Font of the dropped cap, its size in number of Lines to drop, and its Distance from text.
After you have changed the above settings to your liking, click on Ok to exit the menu. Finally, the drop cap may look like this:
Conclusion
Using MS Word, you may use a drop cap to make your book or article look more professional. Select the type of drop cap between dropped or in margin to see the one you would rather prefer. Word allows you to change the font, size, and position of the drop cap. We have explained all this so that you need only follow the four simple steps.