How before and After spacing works

[got_word:-]]

I'm trying to understand what Word sets as accumulated spacing between two lines, where there is an AFTER setting on line 1 (upper line), followed by a BEFORE setting on line 2 (located below line 1).

The results are not what I expected



These two combinations produced the same spacing between lines:
LINE 1 AFTER = 6pt
LINE 2 BEFORE = 12pt
RESULT (looks like double spacing)

LINE 1 AFTER = 0pt
LINE 2 BEFORE = 12pt
RESULT (looks like double spacing)

I assume from this that Word defaults to the greater of the two settings.
Is that correct?
Thanks in advance

[macropod]

What it appears you're adjusting is the paragraph before/after spacing; it has no effect on the line spacing within a paragraph. The paragraph before/after spacing is ordinarily used to generate the desired white-space between paragraphs and the effects are cumulative (though the 'Don't add space between paragraphs of the same Style' option can be used to eliminate the before/after spacing under that condition.

If you want double spacing within a paragraph, use the line-spacing options.

[got_word:-]]

Thanks very much!
I did just discover from watching a video, the BEFORE and AFTER are (as you said) only for the Paragraph spacing. And the "Line Spacing" is (as you said) for lines within paragraphs.

The test I did was actually for paragraphs because I placed a paragraph marker at the end of each line.

Its funny that in the dialog box, MS didn't think to put the BEFORE and AFTER spacing within a separate option-group, and clearly show it as specific to paragraph spacing, and then put the "Line Spacing" in its own option-group.

But a little digging never hurts anyone! :-]

Thanks very much for the answer.

[Charles Kenyon]

Basic Concepts of Microsoft Word - from Shauna Kelly
Basic Formatting in Microsoft Word


It is important to use Word's styles to do much of your formatting rather than direct formatting. Understanding Styles in Microsoft Word

[got_word:-]]

Yes, thanks Charles
I understand that is reiterated quite often on the subject of formatting.
Especially with documents extending beyond one page, and/or of importance.

In a past life I worked as a Software Business Analyst, so I was trying to understand the underlying business logic MS is applying within the dialog box controls.

[Charles Kenyon]

Originally Posted by got_word:-]

Yes, thanks Charles
I understand that is reiterated quite often on the subject of formatting.
Especially with documents extending beyond one page, and/or of importance.

In a past life I worked as a Software Business Analyst, so I was trying to understand the underlying business logic MS is applying within the dialog box controls.

If there is logic to how Word works, it is to some extent luck, IMHO.

There have been many hands in its development, many of those belonging to people do not use the program themselves, and many in the marketing end.

The way these particular settings work also was changed from Word 97's methods to the current methods. The way these settings work does make sense if you understand the underlying rules. If it is important, just remember that in earlier versions of Word, the settings are cumulative.

I'm not sure when they added the (useful) switch to not use space-between formatting for paragraphs in the same style.

[Guessed]

Originally Posted by macropod

The paragraph before/after spacing is ordinarily used to generate the desired white-space between paragraphs and the effects are cumulative (though the 'Don't add space between paragraphs of the same Style' option can be used to eliminate the before/after spacing under that condition.

The combination of Before and After spacing between paragraphs is more complicated than you would think would be necessary. The spacing might be:
1. Add the two numbers together to determine the space between paragraphs
2. Take the larger of the two numbers and ignore the smaller number to determine the space between paragraphs
1. Special case override option between two paragraphs of the same style to collapse the paragraph space (as mentioned in Paul's post)

The difference between 1 & 2 is governed by a very obscure option setting. This setting can be found in File > Options > Advanced > Layout Options > Don't use HTML paragraph auto spacing. If this is checked, the paragraph space numbers add together. If it is unchecked, the paragraph spacing is 'larger number' only.