You can add a hanging indent in Google Docs to single or multiple paragraphs. The hanging indent applies when you need to highlight the first line of the paragraph. Therefore, it stands out in the document as it is a single line close to the margin. In this tutorial, we will look at various methods to create a hanging indent.
- Create a hanging indent using the Format tab
- Using the keyboard shortcut
- Using the Ruler
What is a Hanging Indent?
When you apply the Hanging Indent in Google Docs, it indents all the lines of the paragraph except the first line. So, for example, in the below snapshot, you can see the first line of all the paragraphs remains at its position while other subsequent lines move to the right side of the page.
Create Hanging Indent using Format Tab
You can create a hanging indent using the format tab from the main menu. Below are the steps to do this.
- First, select the paragraphs by dragging the cursor over them or using the shortcut keys (Ctrl +A) where you want to create a hanging indent.
- After that, go to Format and hover over the Align and Indent drop-down menu, then select the Indentation Options.
- Next, the indentation dialog box will appear.
- In this, go to the Special Indent group and change the indent type to Hanging from the drop-down.
- Here, you can see the default length of the indent is 1.27cm (0.5 inches), but you can also change the length in inches.
- Click Apply, and you will see the hanging indent applies to the selected text.
Adding Hanging Indent using the keyboard shortcut
Creating a hanging indent in Google Docs using the keyboard shortcut is relatively easy.
- Place the cursor where you want to create a hanging indent.
- Now, press Shift + Enter and then the Tab.
- For Mac users, use Shift + Return and press Tab.
Creating a Hanging Indent using the Ruler
The other way to create a hanging indent is from the ruler tool at the top of the Google Docs. If the ruler is not displayed, go to View Tab and select the Show Ruler option from the drop-down menu.
- When the ruler appears, select the text of either a single or multiple paragraphs where you want to add a hanging indent.
- Next, you can see two icons on the left side of the ruler. The First line indent is of a light blue rectangle on the top, and the Left indent is of a light blue inverted triangle at the bottom.
- Here, you can see the default length of the hanging indent (0.5 inches) with the blue line on the ruler.
- Now, you can apply these indents to change the margins of the selected paragraphs.
- Click and drag the first line indent to the left side of the margin.
- And you will see all the subsequent lines are indented except the first one of each paragraph.
