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Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Indent Paragraphs in Microsoft Word

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This tutorial shows how to indent paragraphs in Microsoft Word. Specifically, we will look at how to indent paragraphs with the Tab key, the ruler, and the Paragraph dialog box.

Table of Contents:

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The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.

Are you on a Mac? Please see “How to Indent Paragraphs in Word for Mac.”

How to Use the Tab Key to Indent Paragraphs

The quickest way to indent individual paragraphs is to use the Tab key on your keyboard.

  1. Insert your cursor at the start of the paragraph.
  2. Press the Tab key on your keyboard.

By default, the Tab key will indent paragraphs one half inch (.5”).

Before and after indented paragraph in Word 365
Figure 1. Before and after indenting paragraph

Pro Tip: How to Change the Default Tab Indent Length

  1. Select the Home tab.
  2. Select the dialog box launcher in the Paragraph group.
Paragraph dialog box launcher in the Home tab in Word 365
Figure 2. Paragraph dialog box launcher
  1. Select the Tabs button in the Paragraph dialog box.
Tabs button in the Paragraph dialog box in Word 365
Figure 3. Tabs button
  1. Enter a new length into the Default tab stop text box.
  2. Select the OK button.
Default Tab Stops text box in the Tabs dialog box in Word 365
Figure 4. Default tab stop text box

See “How to Create, Change, and Delete Tabs in Microsoft Word” for more information about using tab stops.

How to Use the Ruler to Indent Paragraphs

The ruler can be used to indent single paragraphs, multiple paragraphs, or the entire document.

Use the Ruler to Indent Single or Multiple Paragraphs

Skip to step 3 if your ruler is already visible.

  1. Select the View tab.
  2. Select Ruler in the Show group.
Ruler in the View tab in Word 365
Figure 5. Ruler option
  1. Select the paragraph or paragraphs.
  2. Slide the First Line Indent marker (top ruler marker) to the right to the desired indent length.
First Line Marker on the Ruler in Word 365
Figure 6. First Line Indent marker

Your paragraphs should be indented as you move the ruler marker.

Use the Ruler to Indent the Entire Document

Skip to step 3 if your ruler is already visible.

  1. Select the View tab.
  2. Select Ruler in the Show group (see figure 5).
  3. Insert your cursor into a paragraph.
  4. Select the Home tab (see figure 2).
  5. Select the Select button.
  6. Select Select All Text With Similar Formatting from the drop-down menu.

This option selects all the paragraphs in the document without selecting other items that are not normally indented, such as headings.

Select All Text With Similar Formatting option in Word 365
Figure 7. Select All Text With Similar Formatting option
  1. Slide the First Line Indent marker (top ruler marker) to the right to the desired indent length (see figure 6).

Your paragraphs should be indented as you move the ruler marker.

How to Use the Paragraph Dialog Box to Indent Paragraphs

The Paragraph dialog box lets you indent all the paragraphs in your document while also making additional adjustments to alignment and line spacing.

  1. Insert your cursor into a paragraph.
  2. Select the Home tab (see figure 2).
  3. Select the Select button.
  4. Select Select All Text with Similar Formatting from the drop-down menu (see figure 7).

All your paragraphs should now be selected.

  1. Select the dialog box launcher in the Paragraph group (see figure 2).
  2. Select First line in the Special menu in the Paragraph dialog box.
  3. Use the increment arrows to adjust the length of the indent in the By text box.
  4. Make any additional adjustments to alignment or line spacing.
  5. Select the OK button.
First line indent options in the Paragraph dialog box in Word 365
Figure 8. First line indent options

The Paragraph dialog box should close, and your paragraphs should be indented.

Related Resources

How to Change the Unit of Measurement for the Ruler, Margins, and Indents in Microsoft Word

How to Adjust Paragraph Spacing in Microsoft Word

How to Create Hanging Indents in Microsoft Word (Step-by-Step)

Updated March 16, 2025