How to Indent on Google Docs App

This guide shows you how to add indents to your paragraphs in the Google Docs mobile app (Android and iOS). You’ll learn to use both the toolbar buttons for quick first-line indents and the ruler for precise control, including hanging indents for citations. No special setup is needed—just open your document.

What You’ll Need

The Google Docs app installed on your Android or iOS device.
A document open in the app where you want to add indents.
Your text already typed or ready to be typed.

Step-by-Step

Open your document in the Google Docs app.
Place your cursor at the beginning of the paragraph you want to indent. If you want to indent multiple paragraphs, select them by tapping and dragging the blue handles.
Tap the pencil icon (Edit) at the bottom-right corner to enter edit mode if you’re not already in it.
Tap the Format button (the letter “A” with four lines) at the top-right of the screen.
Go to the “Paragraph” tab in the menu that appears at the bottom.
Use the indent arrows to adjust the left indent: tap the right-pointing arrow to increase indent, or the left-pointing arrow to decrease it. This shifts the entire paragraph’s left edge.
For a first-line indent only (the classic style where the first line is indented but the rest stays aligned), you’ll need to use the ruler. Tap the “Ruler” icon (a small ruler symbol) in the top toolbar to show the ruler at the top of the page.
Drag the top blue triangle (the first-line indent marker) to the right to indent just the first line. Drag the bottom blue rectangle (the left indent marker) to indent the whole paragraph.
To create a hanging indent (where the first line is at the left margin and subsequent lines are indented), drag the bottom rectangle to the right, then drag the top triangle back to the left.
Tap anywhere outside the ruler to close it and see your changes.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong marker on the ruler: The top triangle moves only the first line; the bottom rectangle moves the whole paragraph. Dragging the wrong one gives an unexpected result.
Indenting every line manually: Pressing the spacebar or tab key repeatedly is inefficient and can break formatting. Use the indent tools instead.
Not selecting all paragraphs: If you want to indent multiple paragraphs, you must select them all first. Otherwise, only the paragraph where the cursor is will change.
Forgetting to switch to edit mode: You can’t adjust indents in view mode; you must tap the pencil icon first.

Tips

Use the toolbar arrows for quick indents: They’re faster than the ruler for simple left indents, especially on a phone screen.
Set a default indent: In the Format > Paragraph menu, you can set the “Left indent” value before typing. This will apply to new paragraphs automatically.
Use the ruler for precision: The ruler lets you set indents to the exact position you want, which is handy for citations or custom layouts.
Copy formatting: If you’ve set up an indent you like, copy the paragraph and paste it elsewhere, then replace the text—this preserves the formatting.

Troubleshooting

The indent buttons don’t do anything. Make sure your cursor is placed inside a paragraph or that you’ve selected text. If you’re at the very start of an empty document, there’s no paragraph to indent yet—type a line first.

The ruler doesn’t appear. The ruler icon is only visible in edit mode. Tap the pencil icon to enter edit mode, then look for the ruler icon in the top toolbar (it looks like a small ruler). On some devices, you may need to tap the three-dot menu to find it.

My hanging indent looks wrong. For a hanging indent, you need to drag the bottom rectangle to the right first, then drag the top triangle back to the left. If you do it in the wrong order, the first line may end up indented as well. Adjust both markers carefully.

The indent applies to the whole document. This happens when you have the entire document selected. Tap once to deselect, then place your cursor in the paragraph you want to change.

Changes don’t save. Google Docs saves automatically, but if you’re offline, changes sync when you reconnect. Check your internet connection and ensure the app is up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I indent with the Tab key on the Google Docs app?

No, the Tab key on a mobile keyboard doesn’t create an indent in Google Docs. Use the indent arrows in the Format menu or the ruler instead.

How do I remove an indent?

Place your cursor in the paragraph, go to Format > Paragraph, and tap the left-pointing indent arrow until the indent is zero. Or drag the ruler markers back to the left margin.

Can I set a default indent for all new documents?

Not directly in the app. You can set a default in the desktop version of Google Docs, which will carry over to the app. In the app, you’ll need to adjust each document individually.

Why does my indent look different on the phone than on the computer?

Screen size and zoom can make indents appear different, but the actual spacing is the same. Check the ruler or the paragraph settings to confirm the values match.

How do I indent a bulleted or numbered list?

Select the list items, then use the indent arrows in the Format menu. This will move the entire list item, including the bullet or number, to the right.

Can I create a hanging indent for a bibliography?

Yes. Use the ruler: drag the bottom rectangle to the right (e.g., 0.5 inch), then drag the top triangle back to the left margin. This is the standard format for citations.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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