How to Change the Default Formatting Settings in Google Docs

When you create a document in Google Docs, it automatically applies the default settings to the document. You can change these settings easily.

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 50 words · Bryan Powell

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Instructions apply to the desktop version of Google Docs.

To change the default prefs forNormal textin Google Docs, take these actions:

Open a document.

Highlight the text you want to change.

Highlighted text in Google Docs

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ChooseUpdate"Normal text"tomatch.

ClickParagraphstyles>Options>Saveasmydefaultstyles.

Why Change the Default Formatting in Google Docs?

Format button in Google Docs

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Update Normal text to match option in Format menu in Google Docs

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Save as my default styles option in Format menu in Google Docs

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The Format button in Google Docs

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