1. Indent single paragraphs with the tab key
2. Indent all paragraphs with the ruler
3. Indent all paragraphs with the Paragraph dialog box
This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
Watch more than 100 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.
The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010.
Indent Individual Paragraphs in Word
If you want to indent single, existing paragraphs, the quickest method is the Tab key.
The Tab Key Method
1. Insert your cursor at the start of the paragraph.
2. Press the Tab key on your keyboard.
See “How to Create, Change, and Delete Tabs in Microsoft Word” for more information about using tab stops.
If you want to indent all existing paragraphs, the quickest method is the ruler.
However, you can also use the Paragraph dialog box if you would like to make additional adjustments to alignments and line spacing simultaneously.
The Ruler Method
If your document is blank, skip to step 5.
1. Select the Home tab in the ribbon.
Figure 1. Home tab2. Insert your cursor into a paragraph.
3. Select Select in the Editing group.
Figure 2. Select option4. Select Select Text with Similar Formatting in the drop-down menu. Note that older versions of Word will say “Select All Text With Similar Formatting,” instead.
This option will select all the paragraphs in the document.
Caution: Other text with paragraph formatting [such as a title formatted with a large font size rather than with one of Word’s preset heading styles] will also be selected.
Figure 3. Select Text with Similar Formatting optionIf your ruler is already visible, skip to step 7.
5. Select the View tab in the ribbon.
Figure 4. View tab6. Select Ruler in the Show group.
7. Move the top ruler marker to the right to the desired indent length.
Figure 6. Top ruler markerYour paragraphs should be indented as you move the ruler marker.
The Paragraph Dialog Box Method
1. Select the Home tab in the ribbon [see figure 1].
If your document is blank, skip to step 5.
2. Insert your cursor into a paragraph.
3. Select Select in the Editing group [see figure 2].
4. Select Select Text with Similar Formatting in the drop-down menu [see figure 3]. Note that older versions of Word will say “Select All Text With Similar Formatting,” instead.
This option will select all the paragraphs in the document.
Caution: Other text with paragraph formatting [such as a title formatted with a large font size rather than with one of Word’s preset heading styles] will also be selected.
5. Select the Paragraph group’s dialog box launcher.
Figure 7. Paragraph group dialog box launcher6. Select the Special menu arrow in the Paragraph dialog box.
Figure 8. Special menu arrow7. Select First line in the Special drop-down menu.
8. Use the increment arrows to adjust the length of the indent.
Figure 10. Indent length9. Make any additional adjustments to alignment or line spacing.
10. Select the OK button to save your selection[s] and close the Paragraph dialog box.
Figure 11. OK buttonRelated Resources
How to Create and Customize Headings in Microsoft Word
How to Insert Copyright, Trademark, and Registered Symbols in Microsoft Word
How to View the Word Count in Microsoft Word
How to Adjust Page Margins in Microsoft Word
How to Create Hanging Indents in Microsoft Word
Updated January 13, 2022