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Set indents

Indents move text inward from the right and left edges of the frame. In general, use first‑line indents, not spaces or tabs, to indent the first line of a paragraph.

A first-line indent is positioned relative to the left-margin indent. For example, if a paragraph’s left edge is indented one pica, setting the first-line indent to one pica indents the first line of the paragraph two picas from the left edge of the frame or inset.

You can set indents using the Tabs dialog box, the Paragraph panel, or the Control panel. You can also set indents when you create bulleted or numbered lists.

Set an indent using the Tabs dialog box

  1. Using the Type tool , click in the paragraph you want to indent.
  2. Choose Type > Tabs to display the Tabs dialog box.
  3. Do one of the following to the indent markers  in the Tabs dialog box:
    • Drag the top marker to indent the first line of text. Drag the bottom marker to move both markers and indent the entire paragraph.

      First-line indent (left) and no indent (right)

    • Select the top marker and type a value for X to indent the first line of text. Select the bottom marker and type a value for X to move both markers and indent the entire paragraph.

For more information on using the Tabs dialog box, see About tabs.

Set indents using the Paragraph panel or the Control panel

  1. Using the Type tool , click in the paragraph you want to indent.
  2. Adjust the appropriate indent values in the Paragraph panel or Control panel. For example, do the following:
    • To indent the entire paragraph one pica, type a value (such as 1p) in the Left Indent box .

    • To indent only the first line of a paragraph one pica, type a value (such as 1p) in the First Line Left Indent box .

    • To create a hanging indent of one pica, type a positive value (such as 1p) in the Left Indent box and type a negative value (such as ‑1p) in the First Line Left Indent box. (See Create a hanging indent.)

Reset indents

  1. Click in the paragraph in which you want to reset indents to the zero mark.
  2. Choose Reset Indents from the Tabs dialog box menu.