Adding writing lines in Google Docs is easy and allows you to create lined paper templates directly within Google Docs. This is perfect for writing practice sheets for kids or creating forms with lines that people can write on.
Benefits of Adding Lines in Google Docs
Here are some of the benefits of adding lines directly in Google Docs:
- Customizable: You can customize the color, width, and spacing of the lines.
- Reusable: Once you create a lined paper template, you can duplicate it or export/import it for reuse.
- Collaborative: Multiple people can contribute to a document with lines.
- Accessible: Since it’s in Google Docs, you can access the lined paper from anywhere.
- Free: There are no costs associated with creating lines in Google Docs.
Methods to Add Lines in Google Docs
There are a few different methods you can use to add writing lines in Google Docs:
1. Insert Tables
The easiest way is to insert a one-column table and then customize the borders.
Steps:
- Click Insert > Table and insert a 1×1 table
- Select the table then click the border icon to open border settings
- Under Border color, choose a color (like gray)
- Under Border size, choose a thinner line (like 0.5 pt)
- Delete the borders on the sides, keeping just the horizontal line
- Right click the table and select Insert row above to add more horizontal lines
2. Insert Horizontal Lines
You can also directly insert horizontal line dividers, though this method provides less customization options.
Steps:
- Place cursor where you want the lines
- Click Insert > Horizontal line
- Repeat to insert multiple lines
3. Use Line and Paragraph Spacing
Adding extra spacing between lines visually creates writing lines.
Steps:
- Select the text
- Click the Line and Paragraph Spacing icon
- Under Line Spacing, choose an amount (like 12 or 15 pt)
Customizing the Writing Lines
Once you’ve inserted the lines using one of the methods above, you can further customize them:
- Change color
- Change thickness
- Adjust spacing between lines
- Add margins on the sides
- Add date/name fields
- Insert images
Creating Reusable Lined Paper Templates
To reuse your lined paper formatting:
- File > Make a copy to duplicate within Google Docs
- File > Download as Microsoft Word or PDF
- Insert > Drawing > Image to insert a saved lined paper image
Or if you don’t need the full document, simply copy/paste parts of it.
Conclusion
Adding writing lines in Google Docs is simple whether you use tables, lines, or paragraph spacing. The lines fully integrate within Google Docs for easy customization and reuse.
Lined paper templates allow teachers, parents, students, and writers to practice writing within a document rather than on physical printouts. And it’s easy to access the lined paper from any device through Google Docs.
So the next time you or someone you know needs lined paper, try creating it directly within Google Docs using one of the methods above!
