How to Do a Hanging Indent in Google Docs

October 29, 2021

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Hello! In this brief tutorial, you will learn how to do a hanging indent in Google Docs. We recommend you study this manual carefully and start practicing.

Checklist of crucial points we aim to highlight here:

What is a Hanging Indent?
When and Why Can You Use a Hanging Indent?
Easy and Quick Methods to do a Hanging Indent in Google Docs

Watch the video from https://thegoodocs.com/ and find out how to do a hanging indent in Google Docs: Hanging Indent in Google Docs How-To Tutorial - YouTube

What is a Hanging Indent?

The hanging indent is a text formatting style when the first line is formatted normally, but the following are indented farther to the right. Here below, you can see the sample:

It seems that the first text lines of the highlighted paragraphs “hang.”

When and Why Can You Use a Hanging Indent?

A hanging indent is widely used in academic writing, e.g., reference pages, works cited, bibliographies. The writing styles (for instance, MLA, APA, CMS, and various other citation styles) contain particular requirements for applying a proper hanging indent.

You may also do a hanging indent to create a nice text effect so that it is easier to scan the text for the reader.

Easy and Quick Methods to do a Hanging Indent in Google Docs

Method 1 - Fast and Simple

Highlight the necessary text. Go to Format and choose Align & indent. Select Indentation options - Special indent - Hanging. Fill in the required value and click Apply.

Method 2 - Clear and Easy

Make sure that the ruler in your document is visible.

A ruler helps us to align various elements (text, tables, graphics, etc.).

However, you may not see it in the right place.

In this case, go to View and click Show ruler.

And now you are ready to create a hanging indent.

Step 1. At first, select the text you need to indent. You may choose and highlight one or several paragraphs at once.

Step 2. Move the Left indent marker to the right and stop where you need your hanging indent to start. The left indent is a small blue inverted triangle. A small blue rectangle will go with the triangle - that`s OK.

Step 3. Then, you drag the First Line Indent marker (a small blue rectangle) back to the Left Margin.

Step 4. A hanging indent is successfully done!

You can choose the necessary values for the hanging indent according to your requirements.

Study this topic further in detail and wait for our new guide. Good luck!

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Team TheGoodocs

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