Many people working on presentations want their references or lists to look more professional, and a common question is: how do you add a hanging indent in Google Slides?
While Google Slides doesn’t have the same built-in paragraph formatting tools as Google Docs, there are still a couple of easy ways to achieve the same effect. Here’s how you can do it—whether you prefer using menus or adjusting things visually.
Method 1: Using Format Options
This method is great if you like working with menus and side panels.
- Select the text box
Click on the text box that contains the paragraph you want to indent. - Click Format, then choose Format options
This will open a settings panel on the right. - Select Text fitting
Expand this section to access spacing and indent settings. - In the Special section, select Hanging
This applies a hanging indent to your selected paragraph. - Enter the value you want for the indent
For example, enter “0.5” to indent half an inch. The change applies immediately.
Method 2: Adjusting the Ruler (More Visual)
If you prefer a hands-on, visual approach, using the ruler might be a better fit:
- Click View
Open the View menu at the top. - Select Show ruler
This will display a horizontal ruler at the top of your slide. - Hover over the paragraph you want to adjust
Just place your cursor at the beginning of the paragraph. - Look for the blue markers on the ruler
You’ll see a small blue rectangle and triangle. These control indentation. - Drag the blue rectangle
Move it to the right to create a hanging indent. A guide line will appear to show where the text will align. - (Optional) Drag the triangle to shift the whole paragraph
If you need to adjust the entire paragraph’s position, drag the triangle as well.
Whichever method you use, Google Slides gives you enough control to make your content look clean and professional. Whether you're formatting references, bullet points, or any list, adding a hanging indent is a small touch that makes a big difference.