Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 19, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Using the tools on the Home tab of the ribbon, you can quickly and easily indent a paragraph to the next tab stop for that paragraph. If there are no explicit tab stops set for the paragraph, then it will be indented to the next default tab stop (usually 1/2 inch). To indent a paragraph to the next tab stop, follow these steps:
If you are the type of Word user that prefers to use the keyboard whenever possible, just place your insertion point in the paragraph you want to indent and then press Ctrl+M. Word indents the paragraph to the next tab stop, as desired. (You can press Ctrl+M multiple times to increase the indent or press Ctrl+Shift+M to decrease the indent.)
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (9592) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Indenting a Paragraph to the Next Tab Stop.
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