If words run together in Microsoft Word, add an actual space at the missing boundary. If the gap only looks wrong, first identify whether spaces, tabs, alignment, or character spacing caused it. These fixes solve different problems.
Add a missing space
Place the cursor between the two words and press the spacebar once. For a repeated pattern, use Home > Replace, enter the exact text in Find what and its corrected version in Replace with, and review matches before replacing them. A broad replacement can change names, codes, and other text you meant to keep. Microsoft’s Find and Replace guide shows the workflow.
Find extra spaces or tabs
- Choose Home > Show/Hide ¶. Word displays ordinary spaces as dots and tabs as arrows.
- Inspect the affected line. Remove unintended extra spaces or tabs, then check the layout again.
- If the same double-space pattern appears throughout the document, Find and Replace can change two spaces to one. Preview the matches and repeat only where appropriate.
For deliberate alignment, use paragraph formatting or tab stops rather than chains of spaces. Microsoft explains formatting marks in Word’s display options.
Check paragraph alignment
Justified text stretches spaces between words to align both margins. Select the paragraph and choose Home > Align Left if that stretch is unwanted. Our alignment guide covers related formatting fixes. Review the paragraph after changing alignment.
Character spacing is a different control
Font > Advanced > Spacing > Expanded changes spacing among characters, including letters; it is not a tool that inserts spaces between words. Use it only if you want letter spacing. Microsoft’s character-spacing instructions explain the setting. If the goal is readable word separation, start with actual spaces and paragraph alignment.
Matt has been writing about Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft products since the days of Windows XP. He spends much of his time writing for sites like WindowBrain.com