To add a drop cap in Word, click in the paragraph you want to start with a large first letter, go to the Insert tab, click Drop Cap in the Text group, and choose Dropped (the letter sits inside the paragraph) or In margin (the letter sits in the left margin). For more control, choose Drop Cap Options to set the font, how many lines the letter drops, and its distance from the text.
Below are the full steps, how to customize and remove a drop cap, and fixes for common problems.
What is a drop cap?
A drop cap is an enlarged first letter at the start of a paragraph that spans several lines of text. It’s a classic design touch used in books, magazines, newsletters, and formal documents to mark the beginning of a chapter or article.
How to insert a drop cap
- Click anywhere in the paragraph. It must contain text; the first letter is what Word enlarges.
- Go to Insert > Drop Cap.
- Choose one of these options:
- Dropped: The letter is inside the paragraph, and the text wraps around it.
- In margin: The letter sits in the left margin next to the paragraph.
Word places the letter in its own frame, which you’ll see as a box when you click it.
Customize the drop cap
- Click in the paragraph, then go to Insert > Drop Cap > Drop Cap Options.
- Choose the Position (Dropped or In margin).
- Pick a Font. Decorative serif or script fonts look especially good.
- Set Lines to drop, usually 2 to 4 (3 is the default).
- Set Distance from text to add a little space between the letter and the paragraph.
- Click OK.
Change the color or style
Click the drop cap to select its frame, then select the letter and use the Home tab to change its color, make it bold, or apply text effects such as a shadow or outline.
Drop cap the whole first word
Word’s Drop Cap feature enlarges only the first letter. To make the whole first word stand out, apply the drop cap to the first letter, then format the rest of the first word or line in small caps (Ctrl + Shift + K), a common style in book design.
Remove a drop cap
Click in the paragraph and choose Insert > Drop Cap > None. The letter returns to normal size within the paragraph.
Drop cap options compared
| Setting | Effect | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Dropped | Letter inside the paragraph | Books, articles, newsletters |
| In margin | Letter outside the text block | Modern layouts with wide margins |
| Lines to drop | Height of the letter in lines | 2 to 3 for body text, more for titles |
| Distance from text | Gap between letter and text | 0.05 to 0.1 inch for readability |
Troubleshooting
- Drop Cap is grayed out: You’re probably in a table, header, text box, or Web Layout view. Switch to Print Layout and click in a normal body paragraph.
- The letter overlaps the text: Increase Distance from text or reduce Lines to drop.
- The paragraph starts with a quote mark or space: Word enlarges the first character, so remove leading spaces, or the quote mark will become the drop cap.
- The drop cap moves to the next page: The paragraph is near a page break. Adjust spacing or move the paragraph.
- It doesn’t show in Word for the web: Word for the web has limited support for drop caps; use the desktop app to add or edit them.
Drop caps in PDFs and printed documents
Drop caps carry over when you save as PDF with File > Save As > PDF, and they print the way they appear in Print Layout view. Screen readers may read the large letter separately from the rest of the word, so if accessibility matters, check the document with Review > Check Accessibility, and consider using a drop cap only on decorative openings rather than in instructions or forms where every word needs to be read clearly.
Design tips
- Use drop caps sparingly, such as once at the start of each chapter or article.
- Match the drop cap’s font to your headings for a consistent look.
- Make sure the paragraph is long enough to wrap around the letter; one-line paragraphs look awkward with a drop cap.
Related: How to put a border around text in Word.
Related: How to add icons in Word.
Frequently asked questions
Does Word for Mac have drop caps?
Yes. Go to Insert > Drop Cap, or Format > Drop Cap in some versions.
Can I use a drop cap on more than one paragraph?
Yes. Repeat the steps in each paragraph that should start with a large letter, such as the first paragraph of every chapter.
Can I add a drop cap in Google Docs?
Not with a built-in button. People usually insert the letter with a drawing or a large font in a table cell.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.