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Citing Your Sources

Resources to assist in citing your sources and managing references.

What is a Hanging Indent?


A hanging indent means that the first line in any paragraph or text aligns with the left margin, however, all following lines are indented. It's often used in reference or bibliography lists and annotated bibliographies to help visually separate lines for easy reading. Many citation styles (like APA, MLA, and Chicago) require hanging indents in reference lists and bibliographies. Check the relevant citation style guide for more direction. See the image below for how a hanging indent looks in a reference list example.

Formatting hanging indents is differently done in either Google Docs or Microsoft Word. You might think to use the Tab function on your keyboard, but it's not ideal as it indents entire paragraphs vs. select lines. Follow the instructions below for your use.

Google Docs: Step-by-step


1. Highlight the text or citation(s) you want to indent.

2. Select Format in the top menu 

3. Select Align & Indent in the drop down menu

4. Click Indentation Options 

5. Under Special Indent, select Hanging. Make sure the field next to the dropdown says 0.5. Click Apply.


Watch the video below for a walk-through of these steps:

 

Microsoft Word: Step by step


In Microsoft Word:

1. Highlight the text or citation(s) you want to indent.

2. Click the Format tab. Click the Paragraph button from the drop down menu. Alternatively, you can right click with your mouse and select Paragraph from the menu.

4. Under Indentation, and beside Special, choose Hanging from the drop down. To the right of it, add 0.5 in.

5. Click OK 

Watch the video below to see a walk-through of the steps above:

You may wish to view step by step on PC or web versions.

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