Instead of pressing [Enter] to insert a blank line of space between your paragraphs, press [Ctrl]0 ([command]0 on the Mac), using the zero key at the top of the regular keyboard (not the one on the number pad).

This keyboard shortcut changes the current paragraph’s formatting to include 12 points of blank space at the beginning of the paragraph. When you press [Enter] to begin a new paragraph, Word carries this formatting over to the new paragraph as well so that 12 points of space appears between the original paragraph and the new one.

To turn off this formatting, place the insertion point in the paragraph you want to change, and then press [Ctrl]0 ([command]0 on the Mac) again. You can use this technique to change the spacing for the current paragraph or several selected paragraphs.

Adapt for Word 2007
This shortcut key works in Word 2007 too, but you may not need it. By default, Word 2007 documents add 10 points of space after a paragraph, so an additional 12 points of space before your paragraphs might create more space than you intended.

Filed under: Microsoft Office Tutor