Indenting a Paragraph

Summary: A common task in formatting is to indent paragraphs. Word provides several different ways you can make the desired indents. You can pick the method that you find easiest, or you can use them all—it's up to you! (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

If you want to quickly indent a paragraph from the left margin, you can do so by any of these means:

Click on the Increase indent button on the Formatting toolbar. This moves the left margin to the position of the next tab stop.
Press Ctrl+M. Each time you press it, the left margin is moved to the position of the next tab stop.
Use the mouse to drag the indent markers on the Ruler. Release the mouse button where you want the paragraph indented.
Use the Paragraph dialog box by choosing Paragraph from the Format menu and then making sure the Indents and Spacing tab is selected. You can then precisely set the indent in the Left field.

This final method of setting the indent is the most precise, and is also a great way to precisely indent a paragraph from the right margin. If you want to do this, simply enter the desired indent in the Right field. You can double-indent a paragraph by entering values in both the Left and Right fields.

Tip #1090 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Indenting a Paragraph