Useful MS Word Formatting Tips for Dissertation Writing Introduction: Formatting Your Dissertation in MS Word

Useful MS Word Formatting Tips for Dissertation Writing

Introduction: Formatting Your Dissertation in MS Word

MS Word is a powerful tool for writing and formatting dissertations. However, properly formatting your document can be tricky, especially when dealing with lengthy academic work. These seven tips will help you format your dissertation effectively in MS Word.

1. Use Built-In Heading Styles

Use the built-in heading styles in MS Word to format chapter titles, section headings, and sub-sections. This will help you create a Table of Contents that updates automatically as you edit your document.

2. Set Up Margins and Spacing

Ensure that your document follows the required margin settings (usually 1 inch on all sides) and spacing requirements (double-spacing for most institutions).

3. Insert Section Breaks

Use section breaks to divide chapters and sections, especially if you need different headers or footers for different parts of your document (e.g., Roman numerals for preliminary pages and Arabic numerals for the main text).

4. Use the Insert Tab for Tables and Figures

Instead of manually formatting tables and figures, use the “Insert” tab to add tables, charts, and images. This will help maintain consistent formatting and alignment.

5. Create and Update a Table of Contents

MS Word can automatically generate a Table of Contents (TOC) based on the heading styles you use. After completing your document, simply go to the References tab and click “Table of Contents” to insert or update the TOC.

6. Check for Consistency

Ensure that your headings, subheadings, and text are consistently formatted. Using the styles feature in MS Word will help maintain uniformity throughout the document.

7. Track Changes for Editing

If you are working with an advisor or editor, use the “Track Changes” feature to keep track of revisions and comments in your dissertation.