Stop Formatting Manually: the Built-in Google Docs Mla Hack Most Students Miss
By James H. Sterling
Many students prefer converting an existing draft rather than pasting text into an empty template. The table below outlines the exact specifications required by the Modern Language Association alongside the standard defaults Google Docs assigns to blank documents.
| Stylistic Element | Google Docs Blank Default | MLA 9th Edition Standard | The Fast Adjustment Shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page Margins | 1 inch all sides (Standard) | Exact one-inch margin settings | File > Page setup > Set all margins to 1.0 |
| Default Typography | Arial, 11 pt | Times New Roman 12 point font | Ctrl+A > Font menu > Select Times New Roman > 12 |
| Line & Paragraph Spacing | 1.15 line space, extra gap after paragraph | Strict double spacing paragraph format, zero extra gaps | Format > Line spacing > Double > Remove space after paragraph |
| Header & Pagination | Blank header area | Running head and last name with dynamic page count | Insert > Page numbers > Select top-right option |
| Bibliography Indentation | Left aligned, manual tab breaks | 0.5-inch hanging indent on all reference entries | Format > Align & indent > Indentation options > Special: Hanging |
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
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