how to set a first line indent in word 2016

Wider text blocks should have bigger indents.

For instance, narrow text blocks (3″ or less) should have first-line indents toward the low end of this range. (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.

So a paragraph set in 12 point should have a first-line indent of 12–48 points. It should be no bigger than four times the point size, or else the first line will seem disconnected from the left edge. Then click the Paragraph dialog box button in the lower-right corner of the Paragraph. To then open the Paragraph dialog box in Word to set the line spacing and paragraph spacing for the selected paragraphs, click the Home tab in the Ribbon. Typically, a first-line indent should be no smaller than the current point size, or else it’ll be hard to notice. To adjust multiple paragraphs, click and drag over the paragraphs to select them. 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.

How to set a first line indent in word 2016