Hanging Indents in Google Slides
5 minutes read
Need to add a Google Slides hanging indent? It’s quick and easy. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to do a hanging indent on Google Slides.
The Convenience of Google Slides
The beauty of Google Slides lies in its online model. You can make edits from anywhere, using your favorite web browser. As you travel the globe, you can make a hanging indent in Google Slides with just a few clicks. It helps you format your text with exactly the layout you need.
Let’s dive into how to do a hanging indent on Google Slides! Read on for our full tutorial, along with a handy video version so you can follow along visually.
Quickstart Video Guide
Watching a screencast is a great way to learn. We’ve produced a video that shows you how to add a hanging indent in Google Slides. That way, you can properly format your text. Check out our guide on hanging indents in Google Slides below:
Prefer learning with an illustrated guide? We’ve got you covered. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to create a hanging indent on Google Slides.
What Is a Hanging Indent?
You may be wondering: what is a hanging indent in Google Slides?
A hanging indent is a special paragraph formatting style. With a Google Slides hanging indent, every line of text except for the first is indented. It’s a classic format that’s easy to replicate in Google Slides.
A hanging indent on Google Slides is a useful way to offset sections of content. Hanging indents work even if sections are densely packed onto a slide. As you learn how to make a hanging indent on Google Slides, keep in mind it helps you emphasize text properly.
With all but the first line offset, the eyes of your audience will quickly be drawn to each section. Think of a Google Slides hanging indent as an elegant way to present your content.
When Are Hanging Indents Used?
You’ll often find hanging indents on reference pages, bibliographies, and works cited pages. They’re used in lists to clearly offset line breaks. Hanging indents are most commonly associated with academia and scholarly papers. However, they are also very useful for Google Slides presentations!
Many presentations include specific data and other details that need to be cited. If you know how to do a hanging indent on Google Slides, you can add a reference page to your next presentation deck.
How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Slides
You understand the importance of Google Slides hanging indent formatting. Now, let’s learn how to create it in your presentation.
In this tutorial, we’ll use a premium template. Envato Elements offers premium templates that save you time while designing. They complement our Google Slides hanging indent techniques.
You won’t need to design everything from scratch when you start with a template like MARCO. It provides incredible slide design variety for outstanding presentation results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Display the Ruler
Before you can add hanging indents to Google Slides, make sure the Ruler tool is visible. To toggle the Ruler on and off, go to the View tab and click Show ruler.
2. Indent the Paragraph
Creating a hanging indent in Google Slides involves two simple steps. First, indent all your text, and then pull the first line back to its original position. With your text box selected, navigate to the Ruler.
Now, click and drag the blue arrow to the position where you want your hanging indent to be. Typically, hanging indents are 0.5 inches over, but you can adjust this distance as desired.
3. Left-Align the First Line
Notice that all your text has shifted over to your desired setting, which is 0.5 inches. However, a true hanging indent doesn’t include the first line. You’ll have to manually return it to its original position left-aligned in the paragraph.
On the ruler, click on the horizontal blue bar just above the arrow you just moved. Drag it back to the left until the setting reads 0.0 inches. Release the mouse, and your first line will return to its original position.
4. Add More References
Keep in mind that the hanging indent effect applies to the entire paragraph. Thus, if you apply the effect to one reference and then type another one below, it will automatically inherit the same formatting.
This feature is especially useful when creating lists of multiple items. You can easily reverse the effect by adjusting the blue sliders on the Ruler again.
That’s it! As you can see, adding hanging indents to your Google Slides presentation is easy. Use this technique next time you’re adding a reference page to your slides for a professional touch.
5 Top Google Slides Formatting Tips
You’ve just learned how to make a hanging indent on Google Slides. It’s a quick and efficient way to format text in your slides. However, formatting is key to creating compelling presentations. Here are five of the best Google Slides formatting tips for 2023 and beyond:
1. Use Colorful Contrasts
To make your content stand out, use creative colorful contrasts. A bold color palette can enhance your slides and help key details capture attention.
2. Work With New and Custom Fonts
Elevate your presentation by using new and custom fonts. Google Slides allows easy integration of various fonts to help your slides stand out.
Learn how to add your own custom fonts to Google Slides:
3. Format Layouts With Images
Incorporating images into your Google Slides enhances clarity and detail. This approach helps create clean and concise layouts that capture your audience’s interest.
4. Keep Designs Consistent With Master Slides
A successful slide deck requires consistency. Use master slides to maintain a uniform design across your presentation.
Learn how to get started with master slides:
5. Don’t Rely on Words for Data
When presenting data, avoid overly wordy designs. Instead, utilize charts and infographics to convey information clearly and effectively.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to do hanging indents on Google Slides, you can easily format your presentations more effectively. Remember that premium templates can significantly ease the process of creating hanging indents. Give them a try in your next presentation!
Editorial Note: This post was originally published in December of 2018. It has been completely updated to ensure the information is current and relevant.