However, the first line of all other paragraphs should be indented with one tab. For instance, narrow text blocks (3″ or less) should have first-line indents toward the low end of this range. The first paragraph in each chapter or part should not be indented. (Recall that there are 72 points to an inch, so this works out to 0.17–0.67″.)īut use your judgment-consider the width of the text block when setting the first-line indent. LaTeX will automatically indent the first line of each paragraph that doesnt immediately follow a section heading. Indentation in Microsoft Word is useful for essays and citations.
HOW TO FIRST LINE INDENT IN WORD HOW TO
On the Ruler, drag the First Line Indent marker (top triangular marker) to the position where you want the first. This Microsoft Word 2016 tutorial teaches you how to use the indent feature. So a paragraph set in 12 point should have a first-line indent of 12–48 points. Select the paragraph(s) you want to indent. It should be no bigger than four times the point size, or else the first line will seem disconnected from the left edge. Only the first line of the paragraph is indented one-half inch from the left margin. In the Indentation section, use the drop down under Special to choose. Word provides a variety of indents to emphasize paragraphs. Typically, a first-line indent should be no smaller than the current point size, or else it’ll be hard to notice. Under Home tab, click on the arrow by Paragraph. And vice versa.Ī first-line indent on the first paragraph of any text is optional, because it’s obvious where the paragraph starts. If you use a first-line indent on a paragraph, don’t use space between.
The other common way is with space between paragraphs.įirst-line indents and space between paragraphs have the same relationship as belts and suspenders. First-line indents Between one and four times the point sizeĪ first-line indent is the most common way to signal the start of a new paragraph.