Indent first line of every paragraph in Word – 3 quick ways

A first line indent is a formatting style where the first line of a paragraph is set further inside the page margin than the rest, marking the start of a new paragraph. This method is commonly used in books, articles, and essays to enhance readability by creating a visual break, making it easier for readers to navigate the text. The use of first line indents not only gives a document a professional appearance by organizing the layout but also helps in clearly signaling the beginning of new thoughts or topics, thereby aiding in understanding the content's structure and flow.

Indent first line of every paragraph in Word

• By using Tab key
• By using Paragraph settings
• By using Indent markers of Ruler

Remove first line indent in Word

• By using Paragraph settings
• By using Kutools for Word

Video: Indent first line of every paragraph in Word

Indent first line of every paragraph in Word

To indent the first line of each paragraph, here, we will cover three methods to achieve this in Word: using the Tab key, using Paragraph settings, and using the Indent markers of the Ruler.

By using Tab key

This is the simplest method and is often used for quick formatting.

1. Put the cursor at the beginning of the paragraph.
2. Press Tab bey on your keyboard. This will move the first line of the paragraph to the right by a default distance, typically 0.5 inches. Repeat this action to indent other paragraphs as you need. See the demo below:
   

By using Paragraph settings

This method provides more control over the exact indentation.

1. Select the paragraphs you want to indent. Or press Ctrl + A to select the entire document if all paragraphs need indentation.
2. Go to the Home tab, and in the Paragraph group, click on the small arrow in the bottom right corner.
   
3. In the Paragraph dialog box, go to the Indents and Spacing tab. Under Indentation, find the Special dropdown menu and select First line option. Then, set the measurement to the desired indent distance (e.g., 0.5 inches) from the By field as you need. See screenshot:
   
4. At last, click OK button. Now, you can see that the first line of each paragraph in the selection is indented. See screenshot:
   

By using Indent markers of Ruler

Indent markers on the ruler in Word offer precise control over the indentation of your paragraphs. This section will explain how to use these markers indent the paragraphs.

1. Before using the indent markers, you need to ensure the ruler is visible. Click on the View tab, and then check the Ruler box. This will display the ruler at the top and left side of your document. See screenshot:
   
2. The indent markers are located on the left side of the horizontal ruler, offering several indenting options. You can drag any one of the markers to indent the paragraph as you need.
   • First Line Indent Marker: It adjusts the first line of a paragraph.
   • Hanging Indent Marker: It adjusts the indentation of all lines except the first line.
   • Left Indent Marker: It moves both the first line and hanging indent markers together (indenting all lines in a paragraph).
     

■ First Line Indent:

Select the paragraphs you want to indent the first line. Drag the First Line Indent marker on the ruler to the desired position, see the demo below:

■ Hanging Indent：

Select the paragraphs you want to do a hanging indent. Drag the Hanging Indent marker on the ruler to the desired position, see the demo below:

■ Left Indent:

Select the paragraphs you want to adjust left margin. Drag the Left Indent marker on the ruler to the desired position, see the demo below:

Remove first line indent in Word

To remove these indents for a cleaner look, this section will explain two methods to remove the first line indent in Microsoft Word.

By using Paragraph settings

Using the Paragraph settings in Word provides a straightforward way to remove the first line indent from your paragraphs.

1. Select the paragraphs from which you want to remove the first line indent.
2. Then, go to the Home tab, and in the Paragraph group, click on the small arrow in the bottom right corner.
   
3. In the Paragraph dialog box, go to the Indents and Spacing tab. Under Indentation, find the Special dropdown menu and select none option. See screenshot:
   
4. Click the OK button to apply the changes. Now, the first line indent will be removed from the selected paragraphs.

By using Kutools for Word

Still struggling to remove first line indents? Kutools for Word has got you covered! With just one click, you can quickly remove all first line indents, saving you valuable time and making your document more tidy.

But that’s not all! Kutools for Word offers a variety of indent removal features to meet all your document formatting needs. Whether it’s paragraph indents, hanging indents, or other types of indents, you can handle them all with just a few simple steps.

Download Kutools for Word now and enjoy an efficient editing journey!

Adjusting the first line indent in Microsoft Word enhances document readability and professionalism. You can set the first line indent using the Tab key, Paragraph settings, or indent markers on the ruler, depending on your needs. To remove the first line indent, use Paragraph settings or tools like Kutools for Word for a cleaner look. These methods improve document appearance and help readers understand the structure better.To explore more tips and tricks for Microsoft Word, please click here to view additional options.

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