Formatting your dissertation in Word

Learn how to use Word features effectively and efficiently:

• basic templates
• images, captions, and page numbers
• front matter
• work with styles and much more!

Before you start:

• Participants should have basic experience using Microsoft Word. This workshop specifically uses Word 2016.

Note: See dissertation/thesis formatting and submission guidelines (PDF) from University of Minnesota Graduate Student Services and Progress (also see Thesis/dissertation submission and formatting page).

1. Setting margins

2. Formatting page numbers

3. Changing fonts and spacing with styles

4. Defining headings and heading styles

5. Automatic page numbers

6. Creating and applying Word templates

7. Inserting images

8. Inserting captions and cross-references

9. Keeping captions with their figures

10. Copying charts from Excel

11. Adding a landscape page

12. Adding front matter

13. Adding a table of contents

14. Adding a list of figures

The following documents and materials are used in the tutorials. You are welcome to use your own documents, or download ours.

The following materials can help supplement the tutorials, though they are not required.

• Formatting Your Dissertation in Microsoft Word Slides - PPTX
  
• Dissertations in Word 2007 (or Word 2010) - PDF
• Dissertations in Word 2011 for Mac - PDF
• Dissertations in Word 2003 - PDF
• ​University Digital Conservancy Information Sheet - PDF

The Libraries offer many tools and services that you may find useful as you write your thesis or dissertation.

• Citation Managers
• Dissertation Calculator
• Study Carrels
• Thesis/Dissertation Submission and Formatting Guidelines
• Full List of Researcher Support Services