The readability of content will be improved by using one space instead of two consecutive spaces after a period.
Why
By using two spaces after a period, rivers of white space can occur, making it difficult to read for some users with dyslexia.
Consecutive spaces after punctuation may also cause difficulties for people using screen readers or other assistive technologies. According to APA Style, “depending upon what settings [screen readers] use, they may have to listen to ‘space, space’ or endure pauses between sentences that are longer than necessary.”
Learn more about the history of using two spaces after a period, and why it is not recommended.
How
To edit existing documents that contain consecutive spaces after punctuation, try using the Find and Replace tool in Microsoft Word.
- Go to the Home tab > Editing > Replace.
- Enter the word or phrase you want to replace in Find what. (Enter a period followed by two spaces “. “)
- Enter your new text in Replace with. (Enter a period followed by one space “. “)
- Choose Replace All to change all occurrences of the word or phrase. Or, select Find Next until you find the one you want to update, and then choose Replace.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act: All Minnesota State employee electronic documents and course materials must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
