How to Print Double-Sided Documents in Microsoft Word for Windows

Printing a massive 50-page report on a single side of the paper is not only terrible for the environment, but it creates a bulky, unwieldy document that is frustrating to read. By printing on both sides of the page (a process officially known as “duplex printing”), you instantly cut your paper costs in half and create a professional, book-like document.

However, getting Microsoft Word for Windows to successfully print double-sided depends entirely on the physical capabilities of your printer. This guide will show you how to enable automatic duplex printing, and the manual workaround if your printer does not support it.

Method 1: Automatic Double-Sided Printing

If you are using a modern office printer, or a high-end home printer, it likely has a built-in mechanical duplexer. This means the printer can physically pull the paper back inside itself, flip it over, and print on the back without any human intervention.

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click the File tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon.
3. Click Print from the left-hand sidebar (or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P).
4. Look at the main settings area in the center of the screen. By default, it will say “Print One Sided.”
5. Click the Print One Sided drop-down menu.
6. Select Print on Both Sides. (Ensure you select the option that says “Flip pages on long edge” if you want it to read like a standard book. “Short edge” is used for top-bound legal pads or calendars).
7. Click the large Print button.

The printer will handle the entire job autonomously.

Method 2: Manual Double-Sided Printing

If you click the drop-down menu in step 5 and you do not see an option for “Print on Both Sides,” it means Windows has recognized that your printer does not have the mechanical hardware required to flip the paper automatically. You will have to do it manually.

1. In the Print menu (Ctrl + P), click the drop-down menu that says “Print One Sided.”
2. Select Manually Print on Both Sides.
3. Click the Print button.

Word will immediately send only half of the document to the printer. It will print page 1, page 3, page 5, etc.

When the printer stops, Microsoft Word will display a pop-up dialog box on your computer screen. Do not click OK yet.

Take the stack of printed paper from the output tray, flip the entire stack over, and place it back into the printer’s input paper feed tray. (You may need to test this with a two-page document first to figure out exactly which direction your specific printer requires the paper to be facing when you re-insert it).

Once the paper is loaded, return to your computer screen and click OK on the Word pop-up dialog. Word will now send the remaining even-numbered pages (2, 4, 6) to the printer, perfectly aligning them on the blank backs of your odd-numbered pages.