How To Do Hanging Indent on Google Slides

Whether preparing a business report, or a class presentation, knowing how to do hanging indent on Google Slides can significantly impact your presentation’s visual effect.

However, using hanging indent can be pretty confusing, especially for first-time users of Google Slides. Fortunately, it’s easy to do hanging indent on Google Slides since they only require a few simple steps.

Today, we will discuss three methods of how to add a hanging indent on your Google Slides presentation, such as using a ruler, the tab key, or the formatting menu to modify the hanging indent.

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However, before we dive into the details of how to do hanging indents in Google Slides, let’s first explain what a hanging indent is.

What is a Hanging Indent?

Hanging indents are a useful formatting tool in Google Slides, providing a clear and organized layout for your text. Moreover, they can enhance the readability and professional appearance of your presentations.

This indentation style is commonly used for lists, quotes, and citations, giving your information a polished and professional appearance. Here are some key benefits:

  • Improved organization: Hanging indents distinguish each point in a list, making it easier for your audience to follow.
  • Consistent formatting: Using hanging indents throughout your presentation creates a cohesive look and feel.
  • Increased clarity: Using a hanging indent for your main points makes them stand out more while supporting indented details, making it easier for your audience to understand the information hierarchy.
  • Space savings: Hanging indents allow you to include more information on a slide without making it appear cluttered.

In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through creating a hanging indent on Google Slides, providing a visual hierarchy to your text, and improving the overall aesthetic of your presentation.

How to do Hanging Indent on Google Slides: 3 Methods

Using the Ruler

  1. To get started, click and drag the left indent (blue triangle) along the top of the ruler to the position you want your hanging indent to start from.
A presentation in Google Slides showing the left indent along the ruler.
  1. Next, click and drag the ruler’s first line indent (blue rectangle) to the position where you want the text to align.
A presentation in Google Slides displaying the left intent has been moved.

Pros:

  • The ruler in Google Slides visualizes the indentation, making it easier to see the amount of indentation applied.
  • The ruler is easy to use, even for those unfamiliar with advanced formatting techniques.

Cons:

Using the Tab Key

Another method for applying a hanging indent in Google Slides is to use the tab key. To do this, simply follow the steps below:

  1. Select the text box or placeholder you want to format.
  2. Place the cursor at the beginning of the line you want to indent.
  3. Press the “Tab” key on your keyboard.
A Google Slides presentation displaying where to place the cursor at the beginning of a line that you want to indent.
  1. Type your text (if needed).
  2. When you reach the end of the line, press “Enter” to start a new line.
  3. Repeat this process for each line that you want to indent.
A Google Slides presentation displaying the first line of a sentence being indented.

Pros:

  • The tab key is widely understood and provides a simple method to apply a hanging indent.
  • This method allows for quick adjustments to the indentation, making it a suitable choice for those needing frequent changes.

Cons:

  • The tab key method can be time-consuming, especially when working with a large amount of text.
  • Getting the indentation right using the tab key can be challenging, especially if you are working with multiple paragraphs.

Using the Formatting Menu

Using the formatting menu in Google Slides, you can also apply a hanging indent. Follow these steps on how you do it:

  1. Select the text box or placeholder you want to format to get started.
  2. Right-click on the selected text and select the “Format options.” You can also click on the “Format” tab on the toolbar.
A Google Slides presentation showing the format options for some highlighted text inside a text box.
A Google Slides presentation showing the format options, highlighting the format button.
  1. In the formatting menu, select “Text Fitting,” then click the “Indention” drop-down menu. Select “Hanging.”
A Google Slides presentation showing the format options dropdown menu with the adjustable indentation section.
  1. In the indentation section, set the “First line indent” to zero and the “Hanging indent” to the desired amount.
A Google Slides presentation showing the format options, highlighting the position and special buttons.
A Google Slides presentation showing where to select the "Hanging indent" option.

Pros:

  • The formatting menu in Google Slides provides various options for formatting a hanging indent, including setting the first line and the hanging indent.
  • This method allows for precise control over the hanging indent, making it a good choice for those who need to make fine adjustments.

Cons:

  • The formatting menu may be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with formatting options.
  • This method may become time-consuming if you frequently change the hanging indent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Indent on Google Slides for Citations?

To indent citations on Google Slides, follow these three simple steps:

  1. Select the text box or text placeholder containing the citation.
  2. Go to the ruler at the top of the page, adjust the first line and hanging indent, or press the “Tab” key to indent the citation manually.
  3. You can also access formatting options through the formatting menu.

Can a Hanging Indent be Applied to Bulleted or Numbered Lists in Google Slides?

Applying a hanging indent to a bulleted or numbered list in Google Slides is possible. Here’s how to apply it:

  1. Select the text box or text placeholder that contains the list.
  2. Apply the desired hanging indent using the ruler, tab key, formatting menu, or CSS (custom editor).

How Do I Change the Default Hanging Indent Settings in Google Slides?

To change the default hanging indent settings in Google Slides, you can modify the default text box or placeholder style. To do this, simply follow these steps:

  1. Select the text box or placeholder you want to use as the basis for the default style.
  2. Apply the desired hanging indent using any of the methods discussed above.
  3. Go to the format menu, select “Styles,” and select “Save as default style.”

How Do I Troubleshoot Issues With Applying a Hanging Indent in Google Slides?

If you are having trouble applying a hanging indent in Google Slides, ensure that you have selected the correct text box or placeholder. If the issue persists, try applying the hanging indent using a different method.

You can also restart Google Slides, your computer, or seek help from the Google Slides support team.

Wrapping Up

So, that’s how to do hanging indent on Google Slides. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily create hanging indents to take your presentations to the next level.

We recommend checking out Udemy’s many courses that will improve your skills when using G Suite tools!

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Emma Collins

Emma Collins

Emma Collins is a tech writer for Spreadsheet Point. She's been writing tech tutorials & how-to guides on Windows, Android, iOS, Social Media, Data Recovery, Cybersecurity, Gaming, and more as a tech writer for over 6 years. You can find her work on many established tech websites, including Productivity Spot, Hackr.io, MakeUseOf, Help Desk Geek, Online Tech Tips, HandyRecovery, Cleverfiles, and more.
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