Before you upload a Word manuscript, check four things: the page size matches your trim, the margins meet the retailer’s minimum for your page count, no tracked changes or comments are left in the file, and every image is sharp enough to print. Amazon KDP accepts DOCX for paperbacks without bleed and converts it to PDF, and it lists comments, annotations and placeholder text among common file problems. ProofSlip checks a .docx on Windows for page size and margins against your trim, tracked changes, comments and low-resolution images, and never changes the file.
A Word file that has been through an editor often still carries a reviewer’s comment or an unaccepted change. In print, that can mean a stray margin note on page 214.
Check your Word manuscript’s trim, margins, tracked changes and images before upload.
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Which retailers accept Word files?
| Retailer | Word files accepted | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP paperback | DOC and DOCX, for books without bleed | Books with bleed must be uploaded as PDF. KDP converts other formats to PDF before printing | KDP paperback guidelines |
| Amazon KDP eBook | DOC and DOCX | KDP says most convert well, but complex formatting may not; check in Kindle Previewer | KDP eBook formats |
| Kobo Writing Life | DOC and DOCX | Converted to EPUB automatically, then run through EPUB validation | Kobo, Setting up a New eBook |
Retailer pages checked on 17 October 2026.
What margins does KDP require for a paperback?
KDP’s minimums depend on page count. The inside (gutter) margin grows as the book gets thicker, because more of the page disappears into the binding.
| Page count | Inside (gutter) margin | Outside margin, no bleed | Outside margin, with bleed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 to 150 | 0.375 in (9.6 mm) | at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) | at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
| 151 to 300 | 0.5 in (12.7 mm) | at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) | at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
| 301 to 500 | 0.625 in (15.9 mm) | at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) | at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
| 501 to 700 | 0.75 in (19.1 mm) | at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) | at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
| 701 to 828 | 0.875 in (22.3 mm) | at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) | at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
Source: KDP paperback manuscript formatting guidelines, checked on 17 October 2026. KDP also lists a minimum line weight of 0.75 pt and recommends a minimum gray fill of 10 percent.
These are minimums. Many books use more, and a novel’s page count can change by dozens of pages after copyediting, which can push you into the next row.
What else goes wrong in Word manuscripts?
- Page size left at Letter or A4. Word’s default page is not a book trim. If the document is 8.5 x 11 in and you chose a 6 x 9 in trim, the book will not print as you intend.
- Tracked changes not accepted. Until changes are accepted or rejected, deleted and inserted text are both still in the file.
- Comments left in. KDP lists files with comments, annotations and placeholder text among common problems.
- Low-resolution images. KDP asks for at least 300 DPI. A screenshot or web image pasted into Word rarely reaches that at print size.
- Placeholder text. “Insert dedication here” survives more often than you would think.
How do I clean a Word file before upload?
Microsoft’s Document Inspector finds and removes comments, revision marks from tracked changes, document properties, hidden text and invisible content. Microsoft recommends running it on a copy, because removed data cannot always be restored.
- Save a copy of the manuscript under a new name.
- Accept or reject every tracked change you intend to keep or drop. Removing revision marks with the Document Inspector is not the same as reviewing them.
- Run Document Inspector on the copy: File, Info, Check for Issues, Inspect Document.
- Remove comments and revisions it finds, and any hidden text you do not want.
- Check page size and margins against your trim and KDP’s margin table.
- Replace low-resolution images with originals at 300 DPI at the size they print.
How does ProofSlip check a Word manuscript?
ProofSlip checks print PDFs, EPUBs and Word manuscripts on your PC and says in plain language what to fix.
- Pick the job preset for a book interior at your trim.
- Drop the .docx on the window. ProofSlip reads it and never changes it.
- Page size and margins. ProofSlip checks them against your trim, so a Letter-sized document or a thin gutter shows up before KDP’s previewer finds it.
- Tracked changes. Any left in the file are reported. Review them in Word before upload.
- Comments. Any left in the file are reported, including the one from your editor on chapter 12.
- Low-resolution images. Images too small for print are flagged so you can replace them.
- Check the rest of the job. Drop the cover PDF and the EPUB on the window too, and export every report at once.
If you then export a PDF from Word for upload, run that through ProofSlip as well. In a PDF it checks fonts, image resolution, small text, hairlines, text near the trim or gutter and more, and shows each problem boxed on its page.
Run your manuscript through ProofSlip during the 15-day free trial.
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Word check or PDF check: which should I upload?
| Upload Word | Upload PDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Who converts | KDP converts to PDF | You do |
| Bleed | Not supported for Word | Required for bleed |
| Control of layout | KDP’s conversion | What you export is what prints |
| Best for | Simple text books without bleed | Books with images, bleed or careful typography |
For a simple novel, uploading Word is fine if the file is clean. For anything with images running to the edge, KDP requires PDF.
When is a different approach better?
- Word alone is enough if you follow KDP’s Word formatting guides, run Document Inspector and check the previewer carefully. That costs nothing.
- A formatting tool such as Kindle Create, which KDP offers for paperback interiors, or a dedicated layout app may suit you better than Word for a complex book.
- You are on a Mac. ProofSlip runs on Windows only.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload a Word file to KDP for a paperback?
Yes, if the book has no bleed. KDP accepts DOC and DOCX and converts them to PDF. Books with bleed must be uploaded as PDF.
How do I remove all comments and tracked changes in Word?
Review and accept or reject the changes, then run Document Inspector on a copy to remove remaining comments and revision marks.
What gutter margin do I need?
It depends on page count. KDP’s minimum runs from 0.375 in for 24 to 150 pages up to 0.875 in for 701 to 828 pages.
Does ProofSlip fix my Word file?
No. It reports what to fix and never changes the file.
Does ProofSlip upload my manuscript?
No. There is no account and no upload. Files never leave your PC.
Try ProofSlip
ProofSlip is a one-time purchase in the Microsoft Store, with a 15-day free trial. Drop your .docx on the window and clear every finding before you upload. For the PDF side, see check PDF image resolution, our print-ready PDF checklist, or the ProofSlip product page.
Send KDP a manuscript with no leftover comments.
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Amazon, Kindle and Kindle Direct Publishing are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Kobo is a trademark of its owner. Microsoft, Windows and Word are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Other names are trademarks of their owners. ProofSlip is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Last updated 17 October 2026. Published by Automata Labs, a software company in Canada.