How To Print And Share Documents Professionally In Microsoft Word


 Printing and sharing documents professionally in Microsoft Word means making sure your file looks polished, is easy to distribute, and presents your work in the best possible way. Here’s a step-by-step guide:


1. Prepare Your Document

Before printing or sharing:

  • Proofread carefully – check spelling, grammar, and formatting.
  • Use consistent formatting – align fonts, headings, margins, and spacing.
  • Apply Styles – use Word’s built-in styles for headings, subheadings, and body text for a professional look.
  • Add page numbers, headers, and footers if appropriate.
  • Check page layout – go to Layout > Margins to ensure balance and readability.
  • Preview before finalizing – use File > Print > Preview to see how it will look on paper.

2. Print Professionally

  • Go to File > Print.
  • Choose your printer.
  • Select:
    • Number of copies
    • Pages (all, current, or custom range)
    • Orientation (portrait or landscape)
    • Paper size (A4, Letter, etc.)
  • Use Print Settings:
    • Print on both sides (if available) for a professional booklet feel.
    • Collated to keep multi-page sets together.
    • High-quality printing (under Printer Properties) for important reports.
  • Always print a test page first to confirm layout and alignment.

3. Share Professionally

Option A: Share as a Word Document (.docx)

  • Best if the recipient needs to edit the file.
  • Go to File > Share > Email > Send as Attachment or save the file and attach it manually.

Option B: Share as a PDF

  • Best if you want to preserve formatting and prevent edits.
  • Go to File > Save As > Browse > Save as type > PDF.
  • Or use File > Export > Create PDF/XPS.
  • This ensures your fonts, spacing, and layout remain intact across all devices.

Option C: Share via Cloud (OneDrive / SharePoint)

  • Go to File > Share > Share with People.
  • Save to OneDrive or SharePoint, then send a link.
  • Choose permissions:
    • Can edit (collaboration)
    • Can view (read-only)

4. Professional Touches

  • Add a cover page: Insert > Cover Page.
  • Insert a table of contents if your document is long.
  • Use document properties: File > Info > Properties to add title, author, and keywords.
  • Remove hidden metadata: File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document.

Pro tip: Always send or print a PDF for external audiences. It guarantees your document looks the same everywhere, avoids font issues, and shows attention to detail.

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