Checking and Changing your Default Paper Size

Introduction

SOAS printers are all equipped with A4 paper. Sometimes the default paper size set on users' computers is not A4, which causes problems when printing. These instructions show you how to check, and change if necessary, your default paper size.

These instructions are for Windows XP, Word 2000 and the Xerox Document Center printer driver, but the principles apply to all versions of Windows, applications and printers.

Step 1: check/change paper size in the printer driver

Click Start | Control Panel | Printers and Faxes. A dialogue box like this appears:

Right-click on the printer you want to check

Select the Properties menu option

In the Printer Properties window, select Printing Preferences

In Printing Preferences, select Advanced:

In the Advanced Options window, check that the paper size is set to A4. If it is not, use the drop-down box to select A4:

Click the OK buttons until you are back at the Printer Properties window. Since printer drivers differ in their layout and facilites, it is a good idea to check through the other properties since some drivers need the paper size to be set in two places.

When you are satisfied you have changed all the paper size options to A4, click the OK button

Close the Printers and Faxes Control Panel.

Step 2: Check/change paper size in your application

Open your application (e.g. Word) and the document you wish to print, and select File | Page Setup:

In the Page Setup window, select the Paper Size tab:

Check that the Paper size is set to A4. If not, use the drop-down menu to adjust the setting.

Click the OK button.

Changing the paper size in your application will usually affect the layout of your document. You may want to check the document page by page for 'widows and orphans'.

Step 3 (may not be required): check/change other settings

If, when you start a new document, the default paper size always comes up as Letter or another size other than A4, it is possible that your application uses a style sheet or template with the page size set incorrectly. Consult your application's Help menu for assistance.

In Word, you should check the Tools | Options | Print settings and tick the Allow A4/Letter Paper Resizing box.

See whether your application has a Preferences menu option where you can change the paper size.