# How To Do a Hanging Indent on Word | Capterra > Learn how to do a hanging indent on Word to improve your content’s readability and visual appeal. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-to-do-hanging-indent-on-word --- IT & Software Development # How To Do a Hanging Indent on Word: A Complete Guide By Krista Hillis Krista Hillis Krista Hillis is a writer specializing in business, health, and psychology. She is a frequent contributor to trusted business resources including Capterra. [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/krista-hillis-guest-contributor/) Published October 16, 2023 4 min read Table of Contents - [What is a hanging indent?](#what-is-a-hanging-indent) - [How to do a hanging indent on Word](#how-to-do-a-hanging-indent-on-word) - [How to get the most out of a hanging indent in Word](#how-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-hanging-indent-in-word) ## Learn how to improve your content’s visual appeal and readability using the hanging indent on Word. While good content stems from valuable information, great content necessitates proper formatting, presentation, and quality information. Adding visually appealing elements can enhance your content’s readability, allowing you to grab the readers’ attention for a long time. Moreover, curating easy-to-read quality content will help you improve brand awareness and gain the audience’s trust to generate better leads. If you use [Microsoft Word](https://www.capterra.com/p/227146/Microsoft-Word/) to create content, learning how to do a hanging indent on Word can prove beneficial. A hanging indent will allow your readers to skim through content and search for specific information in less time. ## What is a hanging indent? A hanging indent sets off a paragraph's first line—positioning it at the margin—and then indents each subsequent line. So, all text is indented except the first line, which is why this formatting style is also known as a second-line indent. ### Why would you want to use a hanging indent? Hanging indent has many benefits, especially for businesses that focus on professional, academic style guides. - **Make easily skimmable content**: Hanging indents add white space and breaks within text-heavy documents, making it easier to read the content. This allows readers to distinguish sources more easily. - **Increases visual appeal**: Using hanging indent on Word makes your content look more professional and well-structured. The polished presentation also eases scannability for the reader. - **Meet style guidelines**: The visually appealing formatting meets APA, Chicago, and MLA style guidelines about including references or works cited. ## How to do a hanging indent on Word You can produce a hanging indent on [Microsoft Word](https://www.capterra.com/p/227146/Microsoft-Word/) in three ways: using the paragraph dialog, keyboard shortcut, and the ruler tool. _Please note: The steps can vary slightly for Windows, Mac, and web applications._ ### Using the Paragraph Dialog box Follow these steps if you’re using the online version of Word on a Windows PC.: **Step 1**: Select the text where you want to add a hanging indent. _Source: Author_ **Step 2**: You will notice a **Paragraph** section in the **Home** tab of the main menu. Click on the tab. _Source: Author_ **Step 3**: A pop-up box will open with an **Indents and Spacing** tab. Select the **Special** drop-down menu under the Indentation section, and click on **Hanging**. _Source: Author_ **Step 4:** Adjust the depth using the **By** field (This is optional). Click on **OK** tab at the bottom of the Paragraph pop-up box. Your text will now be indented. _Source: Author_ _Please note: This process varies slightly when using the offline version._  Follow the steps below if you’re using Mac: - Highlight the text you'd like to indent. - Click **Format** and select “Paragraph…” from the menu. _Source: Author_ - Under the “**Special:**” option, select **Hanging** from the drop-down options. _Source: Author_ ### Using a keyboard shortcut Keyboard shortcut is the quickest way to do a hanging indent on Word. Follow these easy steps to use hanging indent via shortcut. **Step 1**: Click at the beginning of the line you want to indent. If you’re a Windows user, hold **Ctrl + T** simultaneously. If you’re a Mac user, hold **Command + T** simultaneously. _Hanging Indent done using keyboard shortcut in Windows. Source: Author_ ### Using the Ruler The Ruler is an excellent tool to format your Word documents. You can use the tool to align text, graphics, tables, and other features within your document. Follow the steps below to view the tool at the top of your document. **Step 1**: Click on **View** in the main menu and select **Ruler**. _Source: Author_ **Step 2**: Highlight the text you want to indent and drag the **Hanging Indent** tab (the lower triangular marker) where you want the indentation to start. _Source: Author_ **Step 3**: For a hanging indent, indent **0.5 inches**. If you want to format multiple citation entries, highlight all text before shifting the Hanging Indent tab. ## How to get the most out of a hanging indent in Word Knowing how to use and optimize a hanging indent on Word can help you present reader-friendly content. If you often use Microsoft products to create content for your customers or team, be sure to check out these Capterra resources to improve your processes: - [2023 Document Management Software Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/document-management-software/shortlist/) - [How To Double Space in Word](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-to-double-space-in-word/) * * * **_Disclaimer:_**  _The steps to do a hanging indent on Word were researched in September 2023, and desktop screenshots reflect the platform layout of Microsoft Word on a desktop PC. Applications and layouts are liable to change._  ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Krista Hillis](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/krista-hillis-guest-contributor/) Krista Hillis is a writer specializing in business, health, and psychology. 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