Is there a drawback to using \setstretch outside the preamble?

Question

The setspace package source indicates:

Three commands, \singlespacing, \onehalfspacing, and \doublespacing, are for use in the preamble to set the overall spacing for the document. If a different spacing is required then the \setstretch{baselinestretch} command can be used in the preamble to set the baselinestretch appropriately.

The implication seems to be that the commands are not meant to be used outside the preamble – but in practice, it appears to work.

This is useful, because in most situations one would want to keep normal spacing on \maketitle and \tableofcontents:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mwe}
\usepackage{setspace}
\usepackage{hyperref}

\title{Test}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\tableofcontents

\setstretch{1.5}

\blinddocument

\end{document}

Will using \setstretch outside the preamble cause problems, as the documentation would suggest?

Answer 1

If you are worried about a global change, mid document, you can always use an environment for a temporary change.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mwe}
\usepackage{setspace}
\usepackage{hyperref}

\title{Test}
\setstretch{1.5}

\begin{document}
\begin{singlespace}
\maketitle

\tableofcontents
\end{singlespace}

\blinddocument

\end{document}

This would seem to provide the same result as the OP's MWE.