Hanging Indent Guide for Microsoft Word

Create perfect hanging indents for citations, bibliographies, and reference lists.

What is a Hanging Indent?

A hanging indent is a formatting style where the first line of a paragraph starts at the left margin, but all subsequent lines are indented. This is commonly used in:

  • APA, MLA, and Chicago style citations
  • Bibliography and reference lists
  • Works cited pages

Method 1: Using the Ruler

The ruler method is the quickest way to create a hanging indent.

  1. Select the text you want to format
  2. If the ruler isn't visible, go to View > Ruler to enable it
  3. On the ruler, locate the left indent markers:
    • Top triangle: First line indent
    • Bottom triangle: Hanging indent
    • Rectangle: Left indent (moves both triangles together)
  4. Drag the bottom triangle (hanging indent) to the right, typically 0.5 inches
  5. The first line will stay at the margin while other lines indent

Method 2: Using Paragraph Settings

This method gives you precise control over the indent size.

  1. Select the text you want to format
  2. Right-click and choose "Paragraph" from the menu
  3. In the Paragraph dialog box, go to the "Indents and Spacing" tab
  4. Under "Indentation," find the "Special" dropdown menu
  5. Select "Hanging"
  6. Set the "By" value (typically 0.5 inches)
  7. Click OK

Method 3: Using Keyboard Shortcut

The fastest method once you know the shortcut.

  1. Select the text you want to format
  2. Press Ctrl + T
  3. This creates a hanging indent at the default tab stop (usually 0.5 inches)
  4. Press Ctrl + Shift + T to remove the hanging indent

Example

Without hanging indent:

Smith, J. (2023). The Complete Guide to Formatting. New York: Publishing House.

With hanging indent:

Smith, J. (2023). The Complete Guide to Formatting. New York: Publishing House.

Tips for Success

  • Always select the entire paragraph before applying the hanging indent
  • For consistency, use 0.5 inches as the standard hanging indent size
  • Apply the format after you finish writing to avoid formatting issues
  • Use styles to save your hanging indent settings for future use
  • Double-check your citation style guide for specific requirements