Hanging Indents in Google Docs

A hanging indent is super useful when you’re dealing with things like bibliographies or citations. It basically makes the first line of a paragraph line up with the left margin while all the other lines are indented. This makes your document look neat and professional.

Method 1: Using Indent Markers

  1. First, put your cursor somewhere in the paragraph you want to format, or select the text you want to change.

  2. Next, take a look at the ruler at the top of your Google Docs. If you don’t see it, go to View in the menu bar and make sure “Show ruler” is checked.

  3. You’ll notice two little markers on the ruler. The small rectangle is the “First Line Indent” marker and the little triangle below it is the “Left Indent” marker.

  4. Click and drag the triangle (“Left Indent” marker) to the right. This sets how far all the lines will be indented.

    Left Indent marker

  5. Now, drag the rectangle (“First Line Indent” marker) back to the left margin. This will move the first line of the paragraph back so that only it is not indented.

    First Line Indent marker

  6. You should now see a hanging indent on the paragraph. The first line will be at the left margin and the rest will be indented.

    Hanging Indent result


Method 2: Using the Format Menu

  1. Start by selecting the paragraph or text you want to apply the hanging indent to.

  2. Then, click on the Format menu in the top menu bar of your Google Docs.

    Format Menu

  3. Hover over Align & indent, and then click Indentation options in the submenu that appears.

    Align & Indent Menu

  4. A dialog box will open. Find the Special indent section, and from the dropdown menu labelled None, select Hanging.

    Indentation Options Menu

  5. Enter how far you want the other lines to be indented in the By field. The default is 0.5 inches but you can change it as you see fit.

    By field

  6. Click Apply and the hanging indent will be applied to your selected text.

    Apply Button

With the steps mentioned above, the selected paragraph now has a hanging indent.