Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 4, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Macros are often used to process large amounts of text in some way or another. If you are using a macro to do processing, you may want part of that processing to include setting the right indent applied to a paragraph. If you are programming in VBA, you can use the RightIndent property to set this value, as shown here:
Selection.Paragraphs.RightIndent = 144
The RightIndent property is always applied to a paragraph object. This means you can apply it to either a single paragraph or a range of paragraphs. In the above example the property being set belongs to all the paragraphs currently selected in the document.
You must also always specify the indent in points. In the above example, the left indent is set to 144 points, which is equivalent to two inches. (There are 72 points in an inch.) If you would rather do your specifications in inches or centimeters, you could use the following variations which use a couple of handy built-in function:
Selection.Paragraphs.RightIndent = InchesToPoints(2) Selection.Paragraph.RightIndent = CentimetersToPoints(5.08)
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12600) 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: Setting the Right Indent of a Paragraph in a Macro.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
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