How to Do a Hanging Indent in Google Docs
Short Answer
How do you make a hanging indent in Google Docs?
Highlight the text, click Format › Align & indent › Indentation options, choose Hanging under Special indent, and click Apply. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then P I L.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Layout › Indentation Options. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Using the Menus
- Highlight the text you want to indent.
- Click Format › Align & indent › Indentation options.
- Under Special indent, choose Hanging. You can change the size in the box next to it.
- Click Apply.
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Docs has no shortcut for this.
The Word-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Docs document.
- Highlight the text you want to indent, such as a works-cited list.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). Word-style key-tips appear.
- Press P, I, then L. ShortieCuts runs “Indentation Options”.
When the ALT route helps: Hanging indents usually come up when formatting citations. Alt, P, I, L opens Indentation options straight away, so the only clicks left are Hanging and Apply.
More Google Docs How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt HL1 | HeadingsBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + 1–6 |
| Alt PO | Landscape |
| Alt FI | Version HistoryBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H |
| Alt H4 | StrikethroughBuilt-in: Alt + Shift + 5 |
| Alt PJ2 | Columns |
| Alt HD | Voice TypingBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + S |
FAQ
Is there a keyboard shortcut to make a hanging indent in Google Docs?
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Docs doesn't include one. Highlight the text, click Format › Align & indent › Indentation options, choose Hanging under Special indent, and click Apply. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then P, then I, then L.
Does Alt + P + I + L work in Google Docs?
Not on its own. Google Docs has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + P + I + L there won't make a hanging indent. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then P, then I, then L, and ShortieCuts runs its "Indentation Options" command.
How do I make a hanging indent in Google Docs on a Mac?
The steps above work the same way on a Mac. With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then P, then I, then L.
Is ShortieCuts free?
ShortieCuts has a free 14-day trial with no credit card needed. After the trial, Pro is $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year.