IGCSE ICT: Document Production — Revision Notes

Document production in Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 (Topic 17) is the word-processing skill set assessed in Paper 2: organising page layout (size, orientation, margins, columns and breaks), formatting text (line spacing, tabs, indents, enhancements, lists), finding and replacing text, and adding bookmarks and hyperlinks. You must also know the purpose of page, section and column breaks and of gutter margins.

Condensed for revision. For the full explanation, use the document production study guide, then try the document production practice questions.

Syllabus coverage

Topic 17 has no numbered subtopics; the syllabus gives six content rows.

Syllabus content row	Content
Organise page layout	Page size, orientation, margins, number of columns, column width, spacing between columns; set and remove page, section and column breaks
Format text	Line spacing (single, 1.5, double, multiple; spacing before and after paragraphs); tabs (left, right, centred, decimal); indented and hanging paragraphs; bold, underline, italic, superscript, subscript, changes in case; bulleted and numbered lists
Find and replace text	Including matching case and whole words
Navigation	Add and delete bookmarks and hyperlinks
Pagination	Purpose of page, section and column breaks
Gutter margin	Purpose of setting gutter margins

Organise page layout

Setting	Options / notes
Page size	For example A4 or letter, as instructed
Orientation	Portrait (tall) or landscape (wide)
Margins	Top, bottom, left, right, set to the exact measurement
Columns	Number of columns, column width, spacing between columns
Breaks	Page break, section break, column break — set and remove

What is the purpose of page, section and column breaks?

Break	Purpose
Page break	Starts the following text on a new page, for example to begin a new chapter or keep a table together
Section break	Divides the document into sections that can have different layouts — for example one column for the title, then two columns for the body, or a landscape page among portrait ones; different headers and footers per section
Column break	Forces the following text to the top of the next column, for example to balance columns or start a new article

Format text

Line spacing

Single, 1.5 lines, double, or multiple (for example 1.15). Paragraph spacing before and after is set in points and is separate from line spacing.

Tabs and indents

Tab	Text aligns …	Use
Left	starting at the tab stop	Lists of names
Right	ending at the tab stop	Page numbers in a contents list
Centred	centred on the tab stop	Centred headings in columns
Decimal	on the decimal point	Prices and money values

• Indented paragraph: the whole paragraph is moved in from the margin.
• Hanging paragraph (hanging indent): the first line starts at the margin and the following lines are indented — used for numbered references and glossaries.

Text enhancement and case

Bold, underline, italic, superscript (raised text, for example m²) and subscript (lowered text, for example H₂O). Changes in case: UPPER CASE, lower case, Sentence case, Title Case.

Lists

Bulleted lists for items in no particular order; numbered lists for steps or ranked items. Change bullet type or numbering style when instructed.

Find and replace

• Match case: only finds text with the same capitals (replacing ICT will not change ict).
• Whole words only: only finds the complete word (replacing cat will not change category).
• Use Replace All only when you are sure every occurrence should change; check the count reported.

Navigation: bookmarks and hyperlinks

• A bookmark marks a location in a document by name.
• A hyperlink can jump to a bookmark in the same document, another file, a web page or an email address.
• You must be able to add and delete both.

What is a gutter margin for?

A gutter margin is extra margin space added to the inside edge of pages (left side, or top) for binding, so text is not hidden in the binding when the document is printed and bound or stapled. Mirrored margins with a gutter are used when pages are printed on both sides.

Worked example: setting up a newsletter

Instruction: A4 portrait, margins 2 cm all round, 1.5 cm gutter. Title in a single column, the rest in two columns 1 cm apart. Prices aligned with a decimal tab at 12 cm.

Steps: set page size A4 and portrait → margins 2 cm, gutter 1.5 cm → type the title → insert a continuous section break after it → format the new section as two columns with 1 cm spacing → select the price lines → set a decimal tab at 12 cm.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Using a page break when a section break is needed to change the number of columns.
• Pressing Enter or Space repeatedly to move text instead of using breaks, tabs or alignment.
• Using a left tab for money values instead of a decimal tab.
• Forgetting “match case” or “whole words” in find and replace, so the wrong text is changed.
• Confusing line spacing with spacing before/after paragraphs.
• Setting a gutter on the wrong side, or forgetting it is for binding.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a page break and a section break? A page break simply starts a new page. A section break starts a new section, which can have its own columns, orientation, margins and headers and footers.

What is a decimal tab used for? A decimal tab lines up numbers by their decimal point, so prices such as 4.50 and 125.99 line up neatly in a column.

Why would you set a gutter margin? To leave extra space on the inside edge of each page for binding, so no text is lost when the document is bound.

What does “match case” do in find and replace? It only finds text whose capital and lower-case letters match exactly what you typed.

Self-test

1. Name the break used to change from one column to two columns on the same page.
2. Which tab would you use to line up the page numbers on the right of a contents page?
3. Give one example each of superscript and subscript.
4. Describe a hanging paragraph.
5. State the purpose of a gutter margin.

Answers: 1 (continuous) section break; 2 right tab; 3 superscript: m² or 1st, subscript: H₂O or CO₂; 4 first line at the margin, following lines indented; 5 extra space on the inside edge for binding.

Official syllabus

Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028, Version 3, Topic 17 “Document production” (Organise page layout; Format text; Find and replace text; Navigation; Pagination; Gutter margin).