Step-By-Step Guide to Indent in Microsoft Word

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Learn how to create a 0.5" indentation on the first line of every paragraph
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Do you want Word to indent the first line of every paragraph automatically? Fortunately, Word allows you to set the default to indent your new paragraphs with just a few simple menu changes. This wikiHow article shows you how to indent the first line of every paragraph in Microsoft Word.

Things You Should Know

  • To indent lines in Word, right-click the "Normal" style and select "Modify." [1]
  • Click "Format > Paragraph", and select "First line" to indent the first line of each paragraph. [2]
  • Select "New documents based on this template" to make every document you open in Word work like this.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Word 2016/2019/2021 & Microsoft 365

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  1. These steps work for both Windows and Mac versions of Word. [3]
  2. It's in the Home tab when you're editing a document (in the "Styles" grouping).
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  3. It's usually the second option on the menu next to an icon of a pen and an "A."
  4. You'll see this option in the bottom left corner of the window. [4]
  5. A new window will open.
  6. You'll see the drop-down under the "Indentation" section. By default, indents are offset by 0.5 inches.
    • If you want a bigger indent, change the number under "By" in the "Indentation" section.
    • See how it will look with your indentation in the "Preview" window.
  7. If you want this change to apply to future Word sessions (like the next time you open the program to work on a doc), select New documents based on this template before clicking OK again to close the window. [5]
    • This will not only indent the first line of every existing paragraph but will also indent lines as you write.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Word 2010/2013

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  1. On the lower right corner inside the “Paragraph” group, click the small arrow. You can open this through the “Paragraph” group in the “Home” tab or the “Page Layout” tab.
    • You may do this before you start typing your document or if you have already typed a document. If you already have text in your document, highlight the paragraphs you want indented.
  2. This can be found in the “Indents and Spacing” tab.
  3. Select “First Line” to automatically indent the first line of each new paragraph. [6]
  4. This is the amount that each line will be indented. The most commonly used size is 0.5” or 1/2 of an inch. [7] You can see a preview of the changes in the Preview section at the bottom of the dialog box.
  5. Click the “Set as default” button to set the changes to take effect automatically for new documents.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Word 2007

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  2. This arrow opens up the Paragraph Dialog Box.
  3. Look for the heading "Indentations" in the Paragraph Dialog Box. In this section, there is a drop-down box with the heading "Special." Click the drop-down box and select "First line." [8]
  4. You can change this in the "By:" box. Half an inch (0.5”) is the standard indent size.
  5. Word will automatically indent the first line every time you press Enter.
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      Tips

      • In case you changed the appropriate settings but still don't see an indent in existing paragraphs, put your cursor at the beginning of a paragraph and press Backspace and Enter on your keyboard. This will manually add an indent to the line where your cursor is.
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      • If you want to prevent a line from being indented when this setting is on, hold the Shift key down while pressing Enter.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/indent-the-first-line-of-a-paragraph-b3721167-e1c8-40c3-8a97-3f046fc72d6d
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/indent-the-first-line-of-a-paragraph-b3721167-e1c8-40c3-8a97-3f046fc72d6d
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/indent-the-first-line-of-a-paragraph-b3721167-e1c8-40c3-8a97-3f046fc72d6d
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/indent-the-first-line-of-a-paragraph-b3721167-e1c8-40c3-8a97-3f046fc72d6d
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/indent-the-first-line-of-a-paragraph-b3721167-e1c8-40c3-8a97-3f046fc72d6d
      6. ↑ https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/microsoft-word/indentation
      7. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/word/indents-and-tabs/1/
      8. ↑ https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/microsoft-word/indentation

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