How to do a hanging indent in Google Docs
When writing in MLA or APA format, a hanging indent is required for your works cited, reference pages, or bibliography. You can create a hanging indent in Google Docs in just a few simple steps.
Create a hanging indent using the formatting option
One way to create a hanging indent in Google Docs is to use the formatting option in the header menu. First, select the text you want to create a hanging indent by clicking and dragging the text with your mouse.
Highlight text in Google Docs.
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Then click “Format” in the header menu. In the drop-down menu that appears, hover over “Align and Indent,” then select “Indent Options.”
Select “Indentation Options”.
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The Indentation Options window appears. In the Special Indent group, change the Indent Type to Hanging. You can then set the length of the indent, which is 0.5 by default. Once done, click “Apply”.
Set the hanging indent.
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The hanging indent is now applied to the selected text.
A hanging indent at 0.5.
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Related: How to use voice dictation in Google Docs
Create a hanging indent with the ruler
You can also create a hanging indent using the ruler in Google Docs. If the ruler isn’t already visible in the header menu, choose View from the header menu, then choose Show Ruler.
View the ruler in Google Docs.
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Once the ruler appears below the header menu, highlight the text you want to create a hanging indent for by clicking and dragging the cursor over the text.
Highlight text in Google Docs.
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Now it’s time to adjust the indentation, but there are a few things you need to know about using the ruler first. The slider on the ruler has two elements: the first line indent, which is the solid blue line, and the left indent, which is the bottom arrow. You can click and drag these items to change the indentation. However, while the solid blue line can be moved independently, if you try to move the arrow the blue line will move with it.
However, you must first drag the blue arrow to the right and then the blue line to the left again.
Drag the blue arrow across the ruler.
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The selected text is moved to the position of the slider. Next, click on the blue line and drag it back to the starting position.
You have now created a hanging indent using the ruler.
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Your hanging indent is now complete.
Related: How to track changes in Google Docs