A hanging indent is a paragraph indent style within a word processing program. Unlike a paragraph with the first line indented, the first line of a hanging indent is flush with the left side of the page, and the rest of the lines in the paragraph are shifted slightly to the right. Creating a hanging indent may depend on the word processing program you use; however, it is usually listed among the paragraph formatting styles. Learn how to make a hanging indent.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Protruding Indent with MS Word
Step 1. Open the Microsoft Word document
Step 2. Write the paragraph
It's useful to have some text and just move the cursor when creating the indent.
Highlight the paragraph you would like to be formatted with a hanging indent
Step 3. Click the "Format" menu in the upper horizontal bar
Scroll down and click on the "Paragraph" option.
In the 2007 version of MS Word, on the Page Layout tab, select the Launcher box of the Paragraph dialog box
Step 4. Choose the "Indents and Spacing" section of the Paragraph Formatting
Step 5. Find the "Indent" section
Click on the drop-down menu that says "Special".
Step 6. Choose "Protruding" from the list
Step 7. Choose the size of the spacing on the left of the list
The standard indentation of 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) will be used by default.
Step 8. Click "Ok" to save the changes
The paragraph should now have a hanging indent.
You can set the hanging indent format before typing any text. Doing so will tell the Word document to do it automatically. If you prefer that the hanging indent is not present throughout the document, go back and indent the highlighted portions after typing the text
Method 2 of 2: Protruding Indent with Open Office
Step 1. Open the Open Office document
Step 2. Type some text in the document
Place the cursor next to the text where you would like to have a hanging indent.
You can also set the hanging indent before you start typing. Open Office will use this style as the default formatting value
Step 3. Select the "Styles and Formatting" window located in the drop-down menu
Step 4. Select "Hanging Indent" from the formatting options
Step 5. Adjust the default indent amount in the formatting toolbar
Close the formatting window you used earlier.
- Click "Format" from the menu. Select "Paragraph" from the list of formatting options.
- Click on the "Indents & Spacing" section. You should see the words "Before text" and "First line".
- Use the Up and Down arrow keys to increase or decrease the hanging indent.
