Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor that KDP accepts directly for ebooks and that can set custom page sizes for print interiors exported to PDF.
At a glance
- Price
- Free tier, paid from $99.99/yr (Word for the web is free. Microsoft 365 Personal is $99.99/year or $9.99/month; Office Home 2024 is $179.99 one-time. One-month free trial.)
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Outputs KDP-ready files
- Yes
- Touches your KDP account
- No
- Categories
- Writing & Formatting
- Last checked
- 2026-11-09
Summary
KDP lists DOC/DOCX as a recommended ebook upload format and offers downloadable Word templates in each paperback trim size, so many publishers format both editions in Word and export the print interior as PDF. Bleed, section page numbering and mirrored margins are possible but fiddly, and typography is plainer than a dedicated formatter. Word on the web is free; the desktop apps need Microsoft 365 or a one-time Office license. Copilot AI drafting is built in; text it generates must be disclosed to KDP as AI-generated.
Best for
- Formatting a text-only book with KDP's own Word templates
Pros
- KDP accepts DOCX directly and provides Word templates per trim size
- Custom page sizes, mirrored margins and PDF export
Cons
- Long books with images can be fragile to lay out
- Desktop app needs a subscription or a one-time Office purchase
Alternatives
- Google Docs: Google Docs is Google's free browser-based word processor for drafting and sharing manuscripts, with comments, suggestions and EPUB, DOCX and PDF downloads.
- Book Design Templates: Book Design Templates sells pre-designed book interior templates for Word, Pages, InDesign and Affinity Publisher, sized to standard print-on-demand trims.
- Atticus: Atticus is a cross-platform book writing and formatting app that exports print-ready PDF and EPUB, sold for a one-time price.
- Vellum: Vellum is a Mac-only book formatter known for polished ebook and print output, sold for a one-time price.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the vendor and these pages. Prices change; confirm on the vendor site.
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/word
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-all-microsoft-365-products
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200634390
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