How to Format a Book in Google Docs: A Complete Guide

Learning how to format a book in Google Docs can save you time and money when preparing your manuscript for publication. Whether you’re writing a novel, non-fiction book, or academic work, proper formatting is essential for professional results. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from setting up your document to preparing it for print or ebook conversion.

Table of Contents

• Setting Up Your Google Docs Book Template
• Configuring Page Layout and Margins
• Text Formatting for Book Manuscripts
• Creating Chapters and Sections
• Formatting Front Matter
• Adding a Table of Contents
• Exporting Your Formatted Book
• Pro Tips for Book Formatting

Setting Up Your Google Docs Book Template

Before you begin writing or formatting, it’s crucial to set up your document correctly. Follow these steps to create the perfect foundation for your book:

1. Create a new Google Doc by going to docs.google.com and clicking “Blank”
2. Click “File” > “Page setup” to configure your basic document settings
3. Name your document appropriately (e.g., “BookTitle_Formatted_MMYY”)
4. Set up automatic saving by enabling “Version history” under “File”

Choosing the Right Document Size

For print books, you’ll typically want to match your document size to your intended print dimensions. Common book sizes include:

• 5″ × 8″ (standard paperback)
• 6″ × 9″ (common trade paperback)
• 8.5″ × 11″ (textbooks or workbooks)

Configuring Page Layout and Margins

Proper margins are essential for both readability and print requirements. Here’s how to set them up:

1. Click “File” > “Page setup”
2. Set all margins to at least 0.75 inches (19mm) for standard books
3. Increase the gutter margin to 0.5 inches if your book will be perfect bound
4. Select “Different first page” if you want a unique header/footer for your title page

Mirror Margins for Facing Pages

For printed books, you’ll want to set up mirror margins:

1. In Page Setup, check “Mirror margins”
2. This creates alternating inside and outside margins for left and right pages
3. The inside margin (gutter) should be slightly larger than the outside margin

Text Formatting for Book Manuscripts

Consistent text formatting is crucial for professional book presentation. Follow these guidelines:

Choosing the Right Font

For most books, use:

• Serif fonts (like Times New Roman or Garamond) for body text
• Sans-serif fonts (like Arial or Helvetica) for headings
• Font size between 10pt and 12pt for body text

Paragraph Formatting

1. Set line spacing to 1.15 or 1.5 for readability
2. Use first-line indents (0.3″-0.5″) instead of paragraph spacing
3. Remove space after paragraphs in “Format” > “Line & paragraph spacing”

Creating Chapters and Sections

Organizing your book into clear chapters improves readability and navigation.

Formatting Chapter Headings

1. Use Heading 1 style for chapter titles
2. Center-align chapter titles and increase font size (16-20pt)
3. Add 2-3 blank lines before each chapter heading

Page Breaks Between Chapters

Always start new chapters on a fresh page:

• Place cursor before chapter title
• Click “Insert” > “Break” > “Page break”
• Alternatively, use Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Cmd+Enter (Mac)

Formatting Front Matter

The front matter includes all content before your main text. Common elements:

• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Table of contents
• Foreword or preface

Creating a Professional Title Page

1. Center all text vertically and horizontally
2. Book title in largest font (24-36pt)
3. Author name slightly smaller (18-24pt)
4. Publisher/publishing date smallest (12-14pt)

Adding a Table of Contents

A well-formatted TOC helps readers navigate your book:

1. Place cursor where you want the TOC
2. Click “Insert” > “Table of contents”
3. Choose a style (with or without page numbers)
4. Update it automatically as you make changes

Exporting Your Formatted Book

When your book is perfectly formatted, export it for publishing:

File Formats for Different Uses

• PDF: Best for print books and fixed-layout ebooks
• EPUB: For reflowable ebooks (requires additional conversion)
• DOCX: For sending to editors or formatters

Pro Tips for Book Formatting

• Use styles consistently for headings, body text, and special elements
• Create a template to reuse for future books
• Check paragraph flow to avoid widows and orphans
• Proofread the formatted version before publishing

Conclusion

Now that you know how to format a book in Google Docs, you can create professional-looking manuscripts without expensive