How to Clear Margins on Typewriters

While typewriters were once the state-of-the-art way to quickly put words on a page, computers have long since forced them out of the spotlight. Nonetheless, some people who prefer the tried and true method still use a typewriter to create entire documents, fill in forms or type on smaller sheets like index cards. Before you can begin typing, though, you may need to clear the margins of their old settings.

Manual Typewriters

Depress the left margin stop button, located on the back, top-left portion of a manual typewriter, usually just behind or in front of a ruler guide.

Slide the left margin stop button as far as possible to the left and release.

Depress the right margin stop button, located on the back, top-left portion of a manual typewriter, usually just behind or in front of a ruler guide.

Slide the right margin stop button as far as possible to the right and release.

Electric Typewriters

Turn the electric typewriter's power on. Unlike a manual typewriter, no adjustments can be made to an electric typewriter with the power off.

Press "Return" to move the carriage to the current left margin. Press the "Margin Release" button, and use the "Backspace" key to move the carriage as far left as possible. Press "Mar L" to reset the left margin.

Press and hold the space bar to move the carriage to the current right margin. Press the "Margin Release" button. Use the space bar to move the carriage as far as possible to the right. Press "Mar R" to reset the right margin.