Make Cue Cards On Word: 7 Simple Steps (And A Faster Way Most Students Don’t Know About) – Learn how to set up cue cards in Word and then upgrade your study game with a smarter flashcard app.
make cue cards on word using tables, front/back layouts, and print settings, then see how to move everything into Flashrecall so review is way faster.
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So, You Want To Make Cue Cards On Word?
Alright, let’s talk about how to make cue cards on Word in the simplest way possible. Making cue cards on Word basically means setting up a document where each “card” is a small section or box with a question on one side and an answer on the other (or on the back when printed). People do this to print physical flashcards or keep them digital. It works, but it can get a bit clunky and manual. That’s why a lot of people start with Word, then switch to something faster like Flashrecall – a flashcard app that does all the boring stuff for you and actually helps you remember long-term:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Let’s walk through both:
1. How to set up cue cards in Word
2. How to turn those into proper flashcards in Flashrecall with way less effort
Option 1: The Classic Way – Making Cue Cards In Microsoft Word
Step 1: Decide If You Want Digital Or Printed Cards
First thing: are you planning to print your cue cards or keep them on screen?
- Printed cards → You’ll probably want a layout with multiple cards per page.
- On-screen cards → You might want each card as its own page or section.
Most people using Word for cue cards are trying to print them, so I’ll start with that.
Step 2: Use A Table To Lay Out Your Cards
The easiest way to make cue cards on Word is with a table.
1. Open a new Word document.
2. Go to Insert → Table.
3. Choose something like 2 columns x 4 rows (that gives you 8 cards per page).
4. Drag the borders so each cell looks roughly like a flashcard shape (wider than it is tall).
Each cell = one card.
You can put:
- The question or term on the front
- The answer or explanation on the back (we’ll handle that in a second)
Step 3: Format The Text So It’s Actually Readable
Inside each table cell:
- Use a big font (16–24 pt) so it’s readable once printed.
- Center the text: Home → Center.
- Add some spacing:
- Right-click → Paragraph → Add a bit of space before/after.
- Optional: add a border to make the card edges clear (Word usually has table borders on by default).
Example card:
- Front:
- “What is the capital of France?”
- Back:
- “Paris – located in northern central France, on the Seine River.”
Step 4: Make Front And Back Sides For Printing
If you want double-sided cue cards (question on one side, answer on the back), you’ve got two main options.
1. On Page 1, create your table with questions only.
2. On Page 2, create the same table layout in the exact same positions.
3. In each matching cell on Page 2, type the answers.
Then when printing:
- Use double-sided printing (print on both sides).
- Make sure it’s set to flip on the long edge so the front and back line up correctly.
This is a bit trial-and-error depending on your printer, but once you get it right, you can reuse the template.
If your printer or brain doesn’t like double-sided:
1. Make questions on Page 1.
2. Make answers on Page 2.
3. Print both pages.
4. Cut them up and pair question + answer manually with a paperclip or by writing numbers on them.
Not elegant, but it works.
Step 5: Use “Labels” If You Want Index-Card Style
There’s another trick in Word: using Labels (they’re basically templates for small cards).
1. Go to Mailings → Labels.
2. Click Options.
3. Pick a label size that’s close to an index card (like Avery index card templates).
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
4. Click New Document – Word will generate a page with multiple card-sized boxes.
5. Type your questions and answers into each box.
This is nice if you’re using pre-cut index cards or specific label sheets.
Step 6: Save A Template So You Don’t Redo Everything
Once you have a layout you like:
1. Go to File → Save As.
2. Change file type to Word Template (.dotx).
3. Name it something like `Cue Card Template`.
Next time, open that template and just replace the text.
Step 7: The Downsides Of Using Word For Cue Cards
Word does work, but here’s the honest list of annoyances:
- You have to manually create, format, and print everything.
- No built-in way to track what you’ve learned or when to review.
- No spaced repetition, so you either cram or randomly flip cards.
- If you change one card size, the layout can get messy.
- Studying on your phone with a Word document is… not fun.
That’s usually when people start thinking:
“Okay, this is fine, but is there an easier way to turn this into real flashcards?”
Short answer: yes. That’s where Flashrecall comes in.
Option 2: A Faster Way – Turn Your Word Cue Cards Into Flashrecall
Instead of fighting with Word forever, you can move your cue cards into a flashcard app that actually helps you remember stuff, not just print it.
What’s Flashrecall?
- Make flashcards instantly from:
- Text
- Images
- PDFs
- YouTube links
- Audio
- Or just typing normally
- Use built-in spaced repetition so the app reminds you exactly when to review
- Practice active recall (question → try to remember → reveal answer)
- Get study reminders so you don’t forget to review
- Study offline
- Even chat with your flashcards if you’re unsure and want more explanation
You can grab it here (it’s free to start):
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
How To Move Your Word Cue Cards Into Flashrecall (Simple Approach)
If you’ve already made cue cards on Word, you don’t have to redo everything from scratch.
Here are a few easy ways to move them over:
1. Open your Word document.
2. Open Flashrecall on your iPhone or iPad.
3. Create a new deck (e.g., “Biology Exam”, “French Verbs”, “Anatomy”).
4. For each card:
- Copy the question from Word → paste into the front of the card.
- Copy the answer → paste into the back.
Yes, it’s manual, but once they’re in Flashrecall, you never have to deal with formatting again.
If your Word cue cards are already printed or saved as a PDF:
- Export your Word file as PDF or print to PDF.
- In Flashrecall, you can create flashcards from:
- Images (take a photo of notes or printed cards)
- PDFs
- Text
Flashrecall can scan the text and help you turn it into flashcards way faster than doing it all manually.
Why Flashrecall Beats Word For Actually Learning Stuff
Using Word is fine for making cue cards.
Using Flashrecall is better for remembering what’s on them.
Here’s the difference in practice:
With Word:
- You flip through cards randomly or cram everything the night before.
With Flashrecall:
- Each card is scheduled by spaced repetition.
- If something is hard, you see it more often.
- If something is easy, it’s spaced out further apart.
- The app sends auto reminders, so you don’t have to track anything yourself.
Result: you remember more in less time.
Cue cards are all about active recall – forcing your brain to pull up the answer from memory.
In Flashrecall:
- You see the front of the card.
- You think of the answer.
- Tap to reveal it.
- Then you rate how well you knew it (e.g., “easy”, “hard”).
- The app adjusts the schedule based on your rating.
You get the same effect as physical cards, but optimized.
Flashrecall isn’t just for school:
- Languages – vocab, grammar, phrases
- Exams – SAT, MCAT, USMLE, bar exam, finals
- Medicine – anatomy, pharmacology, path, guidelines
- Business – frameworks, formulas, product knowledge
- Random stuff – names, codes, trivia, quotes
If you can put it on a cue card in Word, you can make it a flashcard in Flashrecall… faster.
With Word cue cards, you’re stuck with:
- A laptop, or
- A stack of paper cards
With Flashrecall:
- Everything is on your iPhone or iPad.
- It works offline, so you can study on the train, in line, or between classes.
- You can quickly add new cards when a teacher says “this will be on the exam”.
One cool thing Flashrecall does that Word definitely doesn’t:
If you don’t understand a card fully, you can chat with the flashcard to get more explanation or examples.
It’s like having a tiny tutor living inside your deck.
When Should You Use Word vs Flashrecall?
To keep it real:
- Use Word if:
- You just need a one-off set of printed cue cards.
- You like physically writing on cards or highlighting them.
- Use Flashrecall if:
- You want to actually remember stuff long-term.
- You hate manually tracking reviews.
- You study regularly (school, uni, exams, languages, medicine, etc.).
- You want something fast, modern, and on your phone.
Honestly, a lot of people start with Word because it feels familiar, then switch to Flashrecall once they realize how much easier it is to manage decks and review.
Quick Summary
- You can make cue cards on Word by:
- Using tables or labels
- Putting questions on one page, answers on another
- Printing them and cutting them out
- It works, but it’s manual, kind of clunky, and doesn’t help you decide when to review.
If you want to skip the formatting headaches and actually learn faster, try Flashrecall:
- Makes flashcards from text, images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, or manual input
- Has built-in spaced repetition and active recall
- Sends study reminders
- Works offline on iPhone and iPad
- Great for languages, exams, school, university, medicine, business – anything
You can grab it here and start for free:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
So yeah, make your cue cards on Word if you want – but if you’re serious about remembering them, move them into Flashrecall and let the app do the heavy lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
What's the most effective study method?
Research consistently shows that active recall combined with spaced repetition is the most effective study method. Flashrecall automates both techniques, making it easy to study effectively without the manual work.
How can I improve my memory?
Memory improves with active recall practice and spaced repetition. Flashrecall uses these proven techniques automatically, helping you remember information long-term.
What should I know about Cards?
Make Cue Cards On Word: 7 Simple Steps (And A Faster Way Most Students Don’t Know About) – Learn how to set up cue cards in Word and then upgrade your study game with a smarter flashcard app. covers essential information about Cards. To master this topic, use Flashrecall to create flashcards from your notes and study them with spaced repetition.
Related Articles
- Create Index Cards In Word: Step‑By‑Step Guide + A Faster Way Most Students Don’t Know About – Learn how to set up perfect index cards in Word and then see the smarter shortcut that saves you hours.
- Make Flash Cards In Word: Step-By-Step Guide + A Faster Way Most Students Don’t Know About – Learn how to build flashcards in Word and then see why apps like Flashrecall save you hours.
- DIY Laminated Flashcards: Simple Step-By-Step Guide + A Smarter Way To Study That Most People Miss – Make durable cards at home and then level them up with spaced repetition so you actually remember what’s on them.
Practice This With Free Flashcards
Try our web flashcards right now to test yourself on what you just read. You can click to flip cards, move between questions, and see how much you really remember.
Try Flashcards in Your BrowserInside the FlashRecall app you can also create your own decks from images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, and text, then use spaced repetition to save your progress and study like top students.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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