How to accommodate the indents and tabs in Microsoft Word

Updated: 05/02/2021 by Calculator Promise

In that location are 2 types of indents that can be adjusted: paragraphs and bullet points. Each has a carve up way of adjusting (increasing and decreasing) the indent size. Below are the different ways you lot tin move the indentation in Microsoft Word.

Start line indent with tab

The first line indent can always be created using the Tab on the keyboard. To change the first line indent size or indent the full paragraph, continue reading the below suggestions.

Tip

Pressing Tab multiple times increases the indent each time information technology's pressed.

Indent paragraph with shortcut fundamental

A complete paragraph can be indented with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+M and pressing the keyboard shortcut more than once will indent the paragraph further.

Tip

To reverse the indent, you can also press Ctrl+Shift+M.

Adjusting indents using the ruler

To adapt a paragraph indent size, use the Ruler, which is below the menu bar and resembles the pic shown beneath. If this feature is not visible, see our document on how to enable the Ruler.

  • How to enable and disable the Ruler in Microsoft Give-and-take.

Towards the left side of the Ruler, look for indent markers that resemble an hourglass, like the image shown below.

Microsoft Word Ruler

The meridian marker (downward arrow) controls the first line indent, and the middle marking (upward arrow) controls the hanging indent (the indent for lines after the first line in each paragraph). The bottom marking (small box) controls the left indent. To conform these indents, y'all can click-and-elevate each marker to the right or left.

Tip

To change the indentation for an entire document, select all text in the document (press Ctrl+A), then adjust the indent spacing in the ruler as detailed to a higher place.

Note

If a large indent is created when pressing the Tab and adjusting the indent on the Ruler doesn't piece of work, accommodate the Left Tab Finish in the Ruler.

Changing indents in the Paragraph window

Another way to arrange the indents is to view the Paragraph settings. To view this window, double-click the markers in the ruler, click Format and then Paragraph. You can as well place the cursor in the paragraph, right-click with your mouse, and chose Paragraph.

As seen beneath in the Paragraph window, nether the Indentation department, the left and right indent settings can exist adjusted. You lot tin can too adjust the first line indent and hanging indent size under the Special pick in the Indentation section.

Microsoft Word Paragraph window

At the lesser of the Paragraph settings window, you can preview the look of the indent sizes you are setting and make changes accordingly until you get it the style y'all want.

Adjust the indent on the Ribbon in Discussion 2007 and subsequently

If you're using a newer version of Microsoft Discussion that uses the Ribbon, such as Word 2007 or 2013, practice the following.

  1. Click the Layout or Folio Layout tab.
  2. Adapt the indent settings in the Paragraph department.

To view the Paragraph window mentioned in the higher up department, click the minor downwardly arrow indicated by the red arrow in the picture below.

Microsoft Word Ribbon indent

Adjusting the bullet and numbering indentation

Tip

The easiest method of adjusting the bullets and number listing in all versions of Word is to conform the left indent through the Microsoft Discussion ruler bar.

Note

To adjust the spacing between the bullet and the text in a list, y'all may demand to adapt the Left Tab Stop in the Ruler.

Word bullet indents

Microsoft Give-and-take 2007, 2010, and later

  1. Click 1 of the bullets at the level you want to alter in the document.
  2. Right-click the bullet and select Arrange List Indents in the popular-upwards menu.
  3. In the Adjust List Indents window, alter the Bullet position to conform the bullet indent size or change the Text indent to arrange the text indent size subsequently a bullet. As shown, the Bullet position is at .25 inches and the Text indent is at .5 inches (or half inch).

Microsoft Word 2000 and earlier

  1. Place your cursor in a bulleted or numbered line in the document.
  2. Click the Format bill of fare at the top of the Word plan and select the Bullets and Numbering option.
  3. In the Bullets and Numbering window, click the Customize button on i of the first three tabs, depending on the type of list you are changing.
  4. In the window that opens, adjust the indent size for the bullet position and the text position. At the bottom of the window, you tin preview how the indentation sizing looks and brand changes accordingly until you get it the way yous want.

Bullets menu in Word

You lot tin as well access the Bullet and Numbering window past placing your text cursor on a bulleted or numbered line and right-clicking in the Give-and-take document. In the pop-up menu, select the Bullets and Numbering choice.