[garymm@mac.com]

Is there a way to automatically get double spacing between lines in TextEdit? hitting return often is annoying and problematic. I usually use Word, but it's unavailable right now. thanks

[bracken]

I don't think so.
I've been using Mellel lately and really like it. Try it out.

[garymm@mac.com]

i'll give it a try. it's a shame about TextEdit. i like it otherwise.

[Rasputin]

I don't use TE much but when I do it is single spaced. The original post intrigued me into looking into the problem and I discovered you can change the line spacing.
In the TextEdit Help Menu is a topic called "Setting line spacing in TextEdit". A bit convoluted but it worked for me. It only works in RTF.
I'm using TextEdit 1.2 (v185). Not sure if that is a new version that came when I installed OS 10.2.8 but a lot of the topics in TextEdit Help have "New" in front of them.

[dcipjr]

Sure.
Launch TextEdit, and make sure the ruler is visible.
In the field that says "0 pt", enter 25 and press return.
If you find that the lines are too close together, readjust the value. I find that a value between 25 and 30 usually does the trick.

[Naphtali]

Think kludge. This is the hard way. When your document is complete, you can convert to double spacing by replacing singles with doubles. You may wish to turn the rules into macros.
1. Find period-; replace with period---.
2.Find exclamation point-; replace with exclamation point--.
3. Find xxx-; replace with xxx--.
Your problem will be to make sure you identify and replace all instances where you require double spacing. And be sure you do not have an unusual occurrence where a double space is wrongly inserted -- when using your correct rule for insertion.

A much easier method is to convert your "single" spacing into exact point leading -- 12 poinnt type defaults at 120 percent leading, or 121.2=14.4 points. But you can have your leading per your instructions in Paragrah formatting.
Then set your points after paragraph to the double space equivalent of your leading setting. And every time you hit PARAGRAPH RETURN your next paragraph will have the correct spacing between it and its predecessor. If I'm not clear, ask again.