How do I set indents in Adobe® InDesign®?

Indents are helpful for aligning columnar text and will move text in from the left or right margins. Use first-line indents, not tabs or spaces, to indent the first line of a paragraph.

First-line indent

• Indent the first line of each paragraph using the Paragraph palette, Control palette or Tabs palette.
• Highlight the text with the Type tool.
• Paragraph palette:
  • Type the amount of the indent in the First Line Indent  field.
  • Press Enter/Return.
  • For example, to indent 1 pica, type 1p
• Control palette:
  • Click on the Paragraph icon (left side)
  • Type the amount of the indent in the First Line Indent  field.
  • Press Enter/Return.
  • For example, to indent 1 pica, type 1p.

• Tabs palette:
  • Select Tabs from the Type menu (Windows: Ctrl + Shift + T, Mac: Command + Shift + T).
  • Drag the top marker  (left side) to the right the amount needed, or
  • Select the top marker and type a number in the X field.

Indent entire paragraph

• Indent a paragraph using the Paragraph palette, Control palette or Tabs palette.
• Highlight the text with the Type tool.
• Paragraph palette:
  • To indent to the left, type the amount of the indent in the Left Indent  field.
  • To indent to the right, type the amount of the indent in the Right Indent  field.
  • Press Enter/Return.
• Control palette:
  • To indent to the left, type the amount of the indent in the Left Indent  field.
  • To indent to the right, type the amount of the indent in the Right Indent  field.
  • Press Enter/Return.
• Tabs palette:
  • Select Tabs from the Type menu (Windows: Ctrl + Shift + T, Mac: Command + Shift + T).
  • Drag the bottom marker (left side) to the right the amount needed, or
  • Select the bottom marker and type a number in the X field.

Hanging indent

• Create a hanging indent using the Paragraph palette, Control palette or Tabs palette.
• Highlight the text with the Type tool.
• Paragraph Palette:
  • Type a positive amount in the Left Indent field and a negative amount in the First Line Indent field.
  • Press Enter/Return.
  • For example, use 1p for the Left Indent amount and -1 for the First Line Indent amount.
• Control palette:
  • Type a positive amount in the Left Indent field and a negative amount in the First Line Indent field.
  • Press Enter/Return.
  • For example, use 1p for the Left Indent amount and -1 for the First Line Indent amount.
• Tabs palette:
  • Select Tabs from the Type menu (Windows: Ctrl + Shift + T, Mac: Command + Shift + T).
  • Hold down the Shift key and drag the bottom marker to the right.