How to Format an Ebook Using Google Docs (Beginner-Friendly 2025 Guide)

Want to format an eBook without buying expensive software?
Google Docs is one of the best free tools for new authors — and you can format a clean, professional eBook using it.

This guide will show you step-by-step how to format your eBook for:

• Kindle
• Amazon KDP
• EPUB
• PDF

All inside Google Docs.

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🧰 Step 1 — Set Up Your Document

Go to:
File → Page setup

Recommended settings:

• Paper size: 6 x 9 in (KDP standard)
• Margins: 1 inch (safe margins)
• Orientation: Portrait

Click Set as default.

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Step 2 — Use Proper Headings (Critical)

Use:

• Heading 1 → Chapter Titles
• Heading 2 → Subheadings

This helps:

• Generate a TOC
• Create clean EPUB structure
• Improve Kindle navigation

Never use bold text to represent headings.

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📄 Step 3 — Format Paragraphs

Go to:
Format → Line & paragraph spacing

Use:

• Line spacing: 1.15–1.5
• Paragraph spacing: 0–6 pt
• Alignment: Justified

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🌄 Step 4 — Insert Images Correctly

Use: Insert → Image → Upload

Recommended image width:

• 800–1200 pixels

Avoid:

• giant full-page images
• uncompressed PNGs
• floating text around images

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Step 5 — Create an Automatic Table of Contents

Place your cursor →
Insert → Table of contents → With links

This becomes Kindle navigation during conversion.

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🧾 Step 6 — Export Your eBook

You can export in two formats:

✔ 1. PDF (Not preferred for KDP)

File → Download → PDF

OR

✔ 2. DOCX (Best for KDP)

File → Download → Microsoft Word (.docx)

Then upload to:

• CreatorFormat converter
• Kindle Previewer
• Amazon KDP

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📚 Step 7 — Convert to EPUB or Kindle Format

For best results:

• Upload the DOCX or PDF to CreatorFormat → convert to EPUB
• Preview the EPUB in your EPUB Viewer
• Export final file

This gives you:

• clean formatting
• proper TOC
• professional spacing

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🎯 Final Recommendation

Google Docs is powerful enough to format:

• novels
• guides
• non-fiction
• journals
• short eBooks

Just follow the rules:

• use headings
• clean spacing
• export correctly
• convert to EPUB

With the right workflow, you can publish a professional eBook without paid tools.

More free formatting guides coming soon!