Home Office & Workspace

Document Holder

A document holder is an ergonomic desk accessory that positions printed materials at an elevated angle near the computer monitor, reducing the neck strain and eye fatigue caused by repeatedly looking down at papers lying flat on the desk. For anyone who types from printed documents, references physical materials while working on screen, or reviews papers alongside digital content, a document holder eliminates the constant up-down head movement that causes cervical spine strain over hours of work. By placing the document at the same height and distance as the monitor, the eyes can shift horizontally between screen and paper with minimal head movement. Document holders come in designs ranging from simple easel-style stands to sophisticated adjustable arms that position a document between or beside dual monitors. The key feature is the ability to hold documents securely at an angle and height that matches the user's monitor position. Some models include line guides or highlighting bars that help the user track their position on the page, particularly useful for data entry from printed tables or manuscript editing. For home office workers who print reference materials or review physical documents regularly, a document holder provides immediate ergonomic relief that is often felt within the first day of use.

Key Characteristics

  • Elevates documents to monitor height
  • Reduces neck strain from looking down
  • Adjustable angle and height
  • Holds documents securely in position
  • Some include line guide features
  • Positioned between or beside monitors

Types & Variations

Freestanding easel document holder
Clip-on monitor document holder
Articulating arm document holder
In-line document holder between monitors
Weighted page document stand

Common Materials

ABS plastic constructionAluminum adjustable armSteel weighted baseRubber grip document clipsAcrylic transparent standMagnetic document attachment

Placement & Usage Tips

Position the document holder directly beside your primary monitor at the same height and distance from your eyes. For single monitor setups, place it on the side of your dominant eye. For dual monitor setups, a between-monitors holder position minimizes eye travel distance for all three viewing targets.

💡 Pro Tip

If you frequently reference documents while typing, an inline document holder positioned directly between your keyboard and monitor creates the most ergonomic setup. This placement keeps the document, keyboard, and screen all in the same forward focal plane, eliminating the side-to-side head turning that a beside-the-monitor placement requires. The slight overlap with screen sightline is a small trade-off for dramatically reduced neck rotation throughout the day.