A hanging indent keeps the first line of a citation flush with the margin and indents every line after it. It’s the standard format for APA, MLA, and Chicago-style references pages. Google Docs has three ways to do it: the ruler, the Indentation Options menu, and keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how each one works.

The standard depth for APA and MLA is 0.5 inches. Keep that in mind as you work through whichever method you choose.

What Is a Hanging Indent?

A regular indent pushes the first line of a paragraph to the right. A hanging indent does the opposite: the first line stays at the margin and every line after it indents. You’ll see this format on references pages, bibliographies, and works cited lists.

The three formatting styles that require hanging indents are APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and CMS (Chicago Manual of Style). All three use a 0.5-inch indent depth.

How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Docs

1. Using the Ruler

Google Docs includes a built-in ruler along the top of the document. If it’s not visible, go to View > Show ruler to turn it on.

Enabling the ruler in Google Docs via the View menu

Once the ruler is showing:

  1. Highlight the text you want to format as a hanging indent.
  2. Hover over the small blue triangle on the left side of the ruler.
  3. Click and drag the triangle to the right to set your indent depth (0.5 inches for APA or MLA).
Dragging the blue triangle marker on the Google Docs ruler to set hanging indent depth
  1. Click and drag the rectangle above the triangle back to the left margin. This moves only the first line back to its original position.
Dragging the blue rectangle marker on the Google Docs ruler back to the left margin
  1. The hanging indent is applied.
Example of a completed hanging indent in Google Docs

To apply a hanging indent to multiple citations at once, select all of them before you start dragging. The ruler changes will apply to the entire selection.

2. Using Indentation Options

If you’d rather type the exact depth instead of dragging, Google Docs has a dedicated Indentation Options dialog that’s worth knowing. You can find it under Format > Align & indent when working on indent settings in Google Docs.

  1. Highlight the text you want to format.
  2. Click Format in the menu bar.
  3. Go to Align & indent > Indentation options.
Navigating to Indentation Options in Google Docs via Format and Align and indent
  1. In the dialog box, find the Special indent dropdown and select Hanging.
  2. Set the depth to 0.5 inches (or your preferred amount).
Setting hanging indent depth to 0.5 inches in Google Docs Indentation Options dialog
  1. Click Apply. The hanging indent is set.

This method is the most precise. If you’re formatting a long references page, this is the one to use. If you need to apply the same indent settings across multiple sections, you can also use the APA format settings in Google Docs to standardize the whole document.

3. Using Keyboard Shortcuts

This approach works line by line as you type. It’s more manual than the other two methods but useful if you’re entering citations one at a time.

  1. Finish typing the first line of your citation.
  2. Move the cursor to the start of the second line.
  3. Press Shift + Enter (or Shift + Return on Mac) to create a line break without starting a new paragraph.
  4. Press Tab to indent that line.
  5. Repeat for each additional line in the citation.

The Shift + Enter combination creates a soft return rather than a full paragraph break. That keeps the lines visually grouped as one citation while allowing the tab indent to apply to each wrapped line.

This method takes more effort than the ruler or menu approach. For a full references page, Method 1 or Method 2 will save you time. If you’re building out formatted documents regularly, it’s also worth knowing how to indent text in Google Sheets for when data and formatted text appear in the same workflow.

How to Remove a Hanging Indent in Google Docs

To remove a hanging indent, highlight the affected text, then go to Format > Align & indent > Indentation options. In the Special indent dropdown, switch from Hanging to None and click Apply.

You can also reset it via the ruler by dragging both the triangle and rectangle back to the left margin at the same position.

Tips for Working with Hanging Indents

  • Standard depth: 0.5 inches is the correct setting for APA, MLA, and Chicago style. If your instructor hasn’t specified otherwise, use 0.5.
  • Multiple citations: Select the full block of text before formatting. The ruler and Indentation Options dialog both apply to whatever is highlighted.
  • Copy formatting: Once one citation is formatted, use the paint roller icon (Format Painter) in the toolbar to apply the same indent to other paragraphs without repeating the steps.
  • Mobile: The ruler and Indentation Options dialog are not available in the Google Docs mobile app. On mobile, the keyboard shortcut method (Shift + Enter, then Tab) is the only option, and results can be inconsistent. For precise formatting, use a desktop browser.

If you’re formatting an entire paper and need more than just hanging indents, the full guide to list and indent formatting in Google Docs covers the related settings worth knowing.

Final Thoughts

The Indentation Options method is the most reliable for long documents. The ruler works well for quick adjustments. Keyboard shortcuts are useful on the go but take more effort. Any of the three gets the job done.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I do a hanging indent on Google Docs?

Highlight your text, then go to Format > Align & indent > Indentation options. Under Special indent, select Hanging and set the depth to 0.5 inches. Click Apply. You can also drag the ruler markers or use Shift + Enter and Tab as you type.

What is the keyboard shortcut for a hanging indent in Google Docs?

There’s no single shortcut to apply a hanging indent automatically. The workaround is to press Shift + Enter at the end of the first line to insert a soft return, then press Tab to indent the next line. Repeat for each wrapped line in your citation.

How do I remove a hanging indent in Google Docs?

Highlight the text, then go to Format > Align & indent > Indentation options. Set the Special indent dropdown to None and click Apply. You can also reset it using the ruler by moving both markers back to the left margin.

How do I apply a hanging indent to multiple citations at once?

Select all the citations you want to format before you start. Both the ruler and the Indentation Options dialog apply to the entire highlighted selection, so you can format a full references page in one step.

What is the standard hanging indent size for APA and MLA?

Both APA and MLA require a 0.5-inch hanging indent. Chicago style also uses 0.5 inches. This is the default setting you should use unless your instructor specifies otherwise.

Can I make a hanging indent on the Google Docs mobile app?

The ruler and Indentation Options are not available on the Google Docs mobile app. The keyboard shortcut method (Shift + Enter to create a line break, then Tab to indent) is the only option on mobile, but results can be inconsistent. For precise formatting, use Google Docs in a desktop browser.

Why is my hanging indent not working in Google Docs?

The most common issue is not selecting the text before formatting. Highlight the full paragraph or citation block first, then apply the indent. If you’re using the ruler, make sure you’re dragging the triangle (not the rectangle) to set the indent depth. The rectangle controls only the first line position.