Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Paragraph Formatting Shortcuts.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 17, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Many people find it easier to use keyboard commands than to constantly stop and use the mouse. Word accommodates these people by providing several shortcuts you can use to format paragraphs. The following table lists several keyboard shortcuts you can use for your paragraph formatting:
| Shortcut | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+1 | Single-spaced paragraph | |
| Ctrl+5 | 1 1/2-line paragraph spacing | |
| Ctrl+2 | Double-spaced paragraph | |
| Ctrl+L | Left-aligned paragraph | |
| Ctrl+E | Centered paragraph | |
| Ctrl+R | Right-aligned paragraph | |
| Ctrl+J | Justified paragraph | |
| Ctrl+0 | Add or remove one line of space before the paragraph | |
| Ctrl+M | Increase indent one tab stop | |
| Shift+Ctrl+M | Decrease indent one tab stop | |
| Ctrl+T | Increase hanging indent by one tab stop | |
| Shift+Ctrl+T | Decrease hanging indent by one tab stop |
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5953) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Paragraph Formatting Shortcuts.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
If you are a WordPerfect user, you may be very familiar with the block-protect feature and wonder if there is a similar ...
Discover MoreWhen formatting a document that uses lists, you may want to adjust the space that appears just before and just after the ...
Discover MoreWord gives you the ability to place borders around different elements of your document. If you try to place a border ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
Comments