how to do a hanging indent

To create a hanging indent, where the first line of a paragraph is aligned with the left margin and all subsequent lines are indented, you can follow these methods depending on the software you are using:

In Microsoft Word

Method 1: Using Paragraph Settings

1. Select the text you want to format.
2. Go to the Home tab and click the small arrow in the Paragraph group to open the Paragraph dialog box.
3. Under the Indents and Spacing tab, find the Special dropdown menu under Indentation.
4. Choose Hanging.
5. Adjust the indent depth in the By field (typically 0.5 inches).
6. Click OK to apply

Method 2: Using the Ruler

1. Select the text.
2. Make sure the ruler is visible (enable it via the View tab if not).
3. On the ruler, drag the First Line Indent marker (top triangle) to the left margin.
4. Drag the Hanging Indent marker (bottom triangle) to the right to set the indent for subsequent lines (usually 0.5 inches)

Shortcut:

• Select the paragraph and press Ctrl + T (Cmd + T on Mac) to create a hanging indent quickly

In Google Docs

1. Highlight the text.
2. Go to Format > Align & Indent > Indentation options.
3. Under Special indent , select Hanging.
4. Set the indent size (usually 0.5 inches).
5. Click Apply

These methods ensure your hanging indent is formatted correctly, commonly used for reference lists in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles