Paragraph: How to Indent in Word

This updated guide examines Paragraph: How to Indent in Word and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1

Indenting a Sentence

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. You can do this by double-clicking the file on your computer.
2. PressTab?on the keyboard. This inserts a standard indent, which is 0.5' wide.^[1]
3. Type your sentence. Once you reach the end of the line, Word will automatically arrange your text so that only the first line contains that 0.5' space.

Method 2

Indenting an Entire Paragraph

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. You can do this by double-clicking the file on your computer.
2. Highlight an entire paragraph. To do this, click the mouse before the first word, then drag the cursor (don't let go of the button!) all the way to the end. When you lift your finger from the button, the paragraph should appear highlighted in blue.
3. PressTab?on the keyboard. The entire selected paragraph will move 0.5' to the right.
   • To move the paragraph another 0.5', pressTab?again.

Method 3

Using a Hanging Indent

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word. You can do this by double-clicking the file on your computer.
   • A hanging indent indents the second line of a paragraph instead of the first. This type of indent is most often used in bibliographies and reference pages.
2. Highlight an entire paragraph. To do this, click the mouse before the first word, then drag the cursor (don't let go of the button!) all the way to the end. When you lift your finger from the button, the paragraph should appear highlighted in blue.
3. Right-click the highlighted area. A pop-up will appear.
4. ClickParagraph….
5. Click the drop-down menu under 'Special. ' It's in the 'Indentation' section.
6. SelectHanging.
7. ClickOK. The second line in the paragraph will move 0.5' inward.