How to Create a Hanging Indent in Word & Google Docs

A hanging indent is used in several citation styles guides, like APA style, MLA, and Chicago style. Often, students are not well-versed in writing programs and do not know how to create one.

In this article, you will find out what purpose a hanging indent serves and a guide on creating one in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Definition: Hanging indent

In general, a hanging indent indents all lines of a paragraph except for the first one.

It is commonly used in reference lists in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles to separate individual entries properly. This allows the reader to detect a single source easier.¹

Microsoft Word and Google Docs both allow the creation of a hanging indent.

Hanging indent: Guide for Microsoft Word

There are several methods to create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word. We will show you two of those in the following text.

Creating a hanging indent in Word: Method 1

You can use the paragraph setting in Word to create a hanging indent.

This is how you do it:

1. Highlight the text you want to indent.

Note: If you have more than one citation entry, press the enter key after selecting each reference. That way, you ensure that the first line of every single entry begins at the left margin.

2. Right-click the highlighted text.
3. Select “Paragraph”.
4. Under “Indention”, open “Special”.
5. In the “Special” drop-down menu, select “Hanging”.
6. To set the depth of the indent, use the “By” feature.

Note: The standard depth is 0.5 inches/1.27 cm.

7. At last, click “OK”.²

Creating a hanging indent in Word: Method 2

It is also possible to create a hanging indent with the help of the ruler in Word. To set the ruler, click the “View” tab in the menu ribbon at the top and click the “Ruler” option box.

Simply follow these steps:

1. Highlight the text you want to indent.

Note: If you have more than one citation entry, press the enter key after selecting each reference. That way, you ensure that the first line of every single entry begins at the left margin.

2. With the help of the ruler, drag the “First Line Indent” marker (upper triangle marker) to where the first line of the paragraph should start

Note: The standard depth is 1 inch/2.54 cm.

3. With the help of the ruler, drag the “Left Indent” marker (lower triangle marker) to where the second and following lines of the paragraph should start.²

Hanging indent: Guide for Google Docs

Besides Microsoft Word, Google Docs is often used for writing academic papers. However, you don’t have to use the “Enter” and “Tab” keys to indent each line manually because there is a special indention feature in Google Docs that helps you.

Follow these steps:

1. Highlight the text you want to indent.

Note: If you have more than one citation entry, press the enter key after selecting each reference. That way, you ensure that the first line of every single entry begins at the left margin.

2. Click “Format” in the menu ribbon at the top.
3. Click “Align & Indent”, then select “Indention options”.
4. Open “Special indent” and select “Hanging” in the drop-down menu. Now you can set the depth of the indent you need.

Note: The standard depth is 0.5 inches/1.27 cm.

5. Click “Apply”.

Example: Hanging indent in Word

A hanging indent in reference lists

A hanging indent separates the individual reference entries, which makes it easier for the reader to look for a certain author or title.

Hanging indents are used and required in many different citation style guides. These include:

• APA reference pages
• Chicago style bibliographies
• MLA Works Cited

In all three citation styles, the standard depth of the indent is 0.5 inches/1.27 cm.

Sources

¹ Microsoft Support. “Create a hanging indent.” Accessed November 25, 2022. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-hanging-indent-7bdfb86a-c714-41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.

² Columbia College. “Microsoft Word: Formatting Your Paper.” September 12, 2022. https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/microsoft-word/indentation.