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Do you know how to do hanging indent on Google Slides? Hanging indents are a key formatting tool for creating professional presentations, especially when listing citations, references, or bullet points. In this guide, we’ll cover three methods to create hanging indents in Google Slides, along with troubleshooting tips.
Table of contents
  1. Why Use Google Slides Hanging Indents?
  2. How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Slides
  3. Common Uses of Hanging Indent on Google Slides
  4. FAQs: About Google Slides Hanging Indent

Why Use Google Slides Hanging Indents?

While Google Slides is primarily for visual presentations, hanging indents help:
✔ Improve readability in reference slides or source lists.
✔ Maintain professional formatting for academic or business presentations.
✔ Follow citation style guidelines (required in research presentations).

How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Slides

Since Google Slides lacks a one-click hanging indent option (unlike Google Docs), knowing how to manually create one ensures polished, properly formatted slides.

Method 1: Using the Keyboard (Quick & Simple)

If you need a fast solution, this method uses simple keystrokes:
1. Open your presentation
Enter Google Slides, open or import the slides that you need to edit.
2. Adjust the cursor
Place your cursor at the beginning of the line you want to format.
3. Create the hanging indent
Press “Tab” to create a hanging indent. Each time you press the “Tab” key, the indentation will increase. If you want to reduce the indentation, you can do it by pressing “Shift + Tab”.

press-shift-and-tab

  • Best for: Quick adjustments in short lists.
  • Limitation: Doesn’t allow precise spacing control.

Method 2: Using the Ruler (More Control)

For better precision, use the ruler tool:
1. Open your presentation
Enter Google Slides, open or import the slides that you need to edit.
2. Show the ruler
Enable the ruler by going to View > Show ruler (If the ruler is already on, skip this step).
3. Select the Text
Click and drag to highlight the text you want to format. For multiple citations, select all lines.
(Pro Tip: Press Ctrl+A (Windows) / Cmd+A (Mac) to select all text in a text box.）
4. Adjust the Ruler Makers
The ruler has two key markers:

  • First-Line Indent Marker (Blue Rectangle): Controls the first line’s position.
  • Left Indent Marker (Blue Triangle): Controls all other lines.
  • Best for: Fine-tuning spacing in bibliographies or references.

Method 3: Using Indentation Options (Formal Approach)

For structured documents, use the indentation menu:
1. Open your presentation
Enter Google Slides, open or import the slides that you need to edit.
2. Select the text
Highlight the text you want to format.
3. Access Text Fitting
Locate the “Format” tab, click on ” Format Options”, and then select “Text Fitting” from the menu. Under “Special indent”, select “Hanging” and set the indent size (default: 0.5 inches).

using-indentation-option

  • Best for: Consistent formatting in long lists.
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Common Uses of Hanging Indent on Google Slides

Hanging indents are frequently used in:
  • Bibliographies & References (APA, MLA, Chicago styles)
  • Citations & Works Cited pages
  • Legal documents & bulleted lists
  • Glossaries & indexes
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    FAQs: About Google Slides Hanging Indent

    Why doesn't Google Slides have a direct "hanging indent" button like Google Docs?

    Google Slides prioritizes visual design over text formatting. For advanced typography, consider drafting text in Google Docs (with built-in hanging indents) then pasting into Slides.

    Can I create hanging indents in the Google Slides mobile app?

    No, the mobile app lacks ruler/indent controls. Use the desktop version or format text in Google Docs first.

    My hanging indent looks uneven - how to fix it?

    Ensure you’re using the ruler’s left indent marker, not just the first-line marker. Select all text (Ctrl+A) before adjusting for consistency.

    Is there a way to save hanging indent formatting as a default style?

    Unfortunately no, but you can save formatted text in a “dummy” slide to copy/paste.
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    💬 Conclusion:

    Google Slides Hanging indents help maintain a clean, professional look in Google Slides, especially for citations and references. While the keyboard method is fastest, the ruler offers the most control, and indentation options provide consistency.

    If you frequently create presentations with citations or complex formatting, AI-powered tools like Workppt can automate layouts design. These tools save time by:
    ☑️Generating presentation content using artificial intelligence.
    ☑️Providing templates with consistent styles.
    ☑️Generating properly formatted reference slides.

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