Legal Size paper option is missing from dropdown

Diane Bruno 0 Reputation points
2026-11-10T19:58:22.4433333+00:00

Hello. I have always had the option to change my paper size to "legal" from the Layout>Size drop down box. Legal size has gone missing and I don't know how to get it back. Letter and Legal have always been my top two choices, and now it Letter and A4. I have scrolled down and it's not there. I am using M365 (desktop apps). I have tried looking everywhere to add it back in, but I am not finding it. Can someone help me? I use Legal size on a daily basis. Thanks!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows
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AI answer

2026-11-10T19:59:12.0266667+00:00

Select a printer that supports Legal paper and make it the Windows default, then restart Word so it reloads the paper sizes exposed by that printer’s driver.

Word reacquires page sizes whenever the selected printer changes; if the current or newly updated driver does not advertise Legal, Word can replace it with options such as A4. This is expected printer-dependent behavior rather than a missing Word ribbon setting.^1^

  1. Close all Word windows.
  2. In Windows 11, open Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
    In Windows 10, use Start → Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners.
  3. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer. Otherwise, Windows can switch the default to the last printer used.
  4. Select the physical printer that you use for Legal paper and choose Set as default.^2^
  5. Open Word and create a blank document.
  6. Go to Layout → Size. If Legal is not in the short list, select More Paper Sizes → Paper and check the Paper size list there.
  7. Select Legal (8.5 × 14 in) and set Apply to as needed, such as Whole document.

Legal is a standard Windows paper size of 8.5 × 14 inches, but it still must be offered through the active printer configuration.^3^

The printer’s installed driver probably is not exposing Legal. This can happen after a Windows update, printer change, or driver update.

  1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
  2. Select the printer, choose Manage, and run Update driver if that option is available.
  3. If Windows does not find a suitable driver, obtain the current driver for the exact printer model and Windows architecture from the printer manufacturer.
  4. Restart Windows, reopen Word, and check Layout → Size again.^4^

If the problem began immediately after a driver update, use Device Manager → Printers or Print queues → printer name → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver, when that button is available.^4^

As a final driver repair:

  1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
  2. Select the affected printer and choose Remove.
  3. Restart the PC.
  4. Return to Printers & scanners, choose Add device, and let Windows reinstall the recommended driver.^4^

For a managed business or network printer, ask the administrator to verify that the deployed driver and printer configuration advertise Legal under the PaperSize feature. Windows printer drivers represent Letter and Legal as separate supported options.^5^

References

  1. The paper source settings or tray settings change when you select a different printer in Word | Microsoft Support
  2. Set a default printer in Windows
  3. Paper Sizes
  4. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/fix-printer-driver-compatibility-issues-in-windows)
  5. Printer Options
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  1. Deogratias 90 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-10T20:36:38.74+00:00

    Hello Diane

    Since Word obtains available paper sizes from the default printer, please try the following first:

    1. Close all Office applications.
    2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
    3. Set a printer that supports Legal (8.5" × 14") paper as the default printer.
    4. Reopen Word and check Layout > Size.

    If Legal is still missing from the Size dropdown, check whether it is available directly in Word:

    1. Go to Layout.
    2. Click the small arrow in the Page Setup group.
    3. Select the Paper tab.
    4. Check the Paper size dropdown for Legal (8.5" × 14").
    5. If available, select it and click OK. You can also click Set As Default if you use Legal-size documents regularly. User's image If the issue persists, please let me know:
      • Whether the issue occurs in Word only or other Office applications.
      • Whether the issue started after a recent Office, Windows, or printer update.
      This information will help determine the next troubleshooting step.

    Warm Regards

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