How to Format an Ebook in Word (5 Step Guide for KDP/Kindle)
Reflowable Ebook Tutorial – Web Instructions
SECTION 1 — WHY START WITH A CLEAN DOCUMENT
WHY
Ebooks must adapt to many screen sizes and user-controlled fonts.
Print-style clutter is the #1 cause of Kindle display errors.
DETAILS
Start from a fresh .docx file whenever you convert to ebook.
Reusing a word-formatted print interior (for a formatted book) often brings invisible code.
STEPS (PC & Mac)
PC: File → New → Blank Document
Mac: File → New Document
Save as .docx immediately
SECTION 2 — BUILD STYLES BEFORE YOU PASTE
WHY
Kindle builds navigation and the TOC from Word styles, not manual design.
BODY TEXT STYLE — RANGES - Options to consider
Font choices: Times New Roman, Georgia, Arial
Size: 11–12 pt
Alignment: Left
First line indent: 0.4 in (range 0.3–0.5)
Spacing: 0 before / 0 after — never use repeated Enters
CHAPTER TITLE (Heading 1) - Options to consider
Size: 18 pt (range 16–20)
Alignment: Center
Spacing: 12 before / 6 after
SUBHEADS (Heading 2) - Options to consider
Size: 13–14 pt
Alignment: Center or left
SCENE BREAK PARAGRAPH STYLE
Symbol: *** or #
Centered with 6 pt before/after
HOW TO CREATE STYLES
PC: Home → Styles Pane → Modify
Mac: Format → Style → Modify
SECTION 3 — SAFE COPY & PASTE
WHY
Pasting only after styles exist removes print code safely.
STEPS
Open manuscript → Select All
Paste into template as: Keep Text Only
SECTION 4 — CLEAR FORMATTING INSIDE TEMPLATE
WHY
This final reset stops inherited spacing bugs.
STEPS
Select All → Clear All Formatting → Apply Normal
SECTION 5 — REMOVE EXTRA SPACES
WHY
Copy/paste often creates fake chapter gaps.
STEPS
Find & Replace repeated paragraph marks until one remains
SECTION 6 — CHAPTER STRUCTURE
WHY
Kindle uses page breaks only for chapters.
STEPS
Insert Page Break before each chapter
Apply Heading 1 to titles
No section breaks for scenes
SECTION 7 — ITALICS
WHY
Inline italics survive best when added manually.
STEPS
Do not create new italic style for single words
Optional style only for full letters/flashbacks
SECTION 8 — CREATE TOC LAST
WHY
TOC must be built after all structure is done.
STEPS
Insert Custom TOC → hyperlinks only → no page numbers
SECTION 9 — PREVIEW
WHY
Previewer shows real device behavior.
STEPS
Open in Kindle Previewer → test links → test phones
SECTION 10 — KDP OPTIONS
WHY
Two safe paths for upload.
Option A: Upload .docx directly
Option B: Import to Kindle Create then publish
KEY TIPS
Set styles up front
Keep fonts in ranges
Use breaks only for chapters
Build TOC last
Always preview
FONT CHOICES – WHY THESE
Times New Roman: lowest error rate
Georgia: best screen reading
Arial: clean alternative