Microsoft Word / Google Docs: APA formatting help

Use the ruler:

The ruler allows you to quickly set indents. First, make sure that the ruler is visible.
If not, select "View" from the menu bar and make sure that "Ruler" is checked.

On the ruler, you'll want to find the indent marker (two triangles on top of a rectangle). The marker's three components allow you to control different parts of a paragraph and set different indents.

Click and drag the desired component to set indents.

Use paragraph settings:

Begin by accessing the document's paragraph settings. To do this:

• right click (CNTL + click on Mac), then select "Paragraph"
• select "Format" from the program menu, then "Paragraph".

Set the drop-down menu under "Special" to your desired indent (i.e., first line or hanging indent). By default, Word will set a 0.5 inch indent. If you require a different setting, enter the correct distance before selecting "OK."

Use a keyboard shortcut:

Follow these steps to create a hanging indent with keyboard shortcuts.

1. Highlight the citation(s) for which you want to apply the hanging indent.
   
2. Press CNTL + T (Command + T on Mac) to apply a hanging indent.

Use the ruler:

The ruler allows you to quickly set indents. First, make sure that the ruler is visible.

If not, select "View" from the menu bar and make sure that "Show ruler is checked.

On the ruler, you'll want to find the indent marker (a rectangle on top of a triangle). The marker's two components allow you to control the first line indent of a paragraph, or the left indent of the whole paragraph.

Click and drag the desired component to set indents.

A note on hanging indents:

Since Google Docs' indent marker only contains two components, both must be manipulated to set a hanging indent, Begin by dragging the triangle, which sets the entire paragraph's indent, to the desired location. Then, drag the rectangle, which sets the first line's indent, back to the original position.

Use paragraph settings:

1. Begin by access the document's paragraph settings (Select "Format" from the menu, then "Align and indent," then "Indentation options."
2. Select your desired indent (i.e., first line or hanging indent) from the drop-down menu under "Special Indent." By default, Google Docs will set a 0.5 inch indent. If you require a different setting, enter the correct distance before selecting "Apply."