Windows 7 / Getting Started

Setting Paragraph Indents

When you indent a paragraph, you move its edge in from the left or right margin. You can indent the entire left or right edge of a paragraph or just the first line. The markers on the ruler control the indentation of the current paragraph. The left side of the ruler has three markers. The top triangle, called the first-line indent marker, controls where the first line of the paragraph begins. The bottom triangle, called the hanging indent marker, controls where the remaining lines of the paragraph begin. The small square under the bottom triangle, called the left indent marker, allows you to move the first-line indent marker and the left indent marker simultaneously. When you move the left indent marker, the distance between the hanging indent and the first-line indent remains the same. The triangle on the right side of the ruler, called the right indent marker, controls where the right edge of the paragraph ends.

Change Paragraph Indents

Select the text or click in the paragraph you want to format.

  • To view the ruler, click the View tab, and then select the Ruler check box.
  • To change the left indent of the first line, drag the First-Line Indent marker.
  • To change the indent of the second and subsequent lines, drag the Hanging Indent marker.
  • To change the left indent for all lines, drag the Left Indent marker.
  • To change the right indent for all lines, drag the Right Indent marker.

As you drag a marker, the dotted guideline helps you position the indent accurately.

Tip You can exact numbers for indents, line spacing, and tabs. Click the Paragraph button on the Home tab, specify the amounts you want, click Tabs if desired, and then click OK.

Creating Sticky Notes

A sticky note is an electronic postem note (New!). Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Sticky Notes. If a new sticky note appears, type the text you want in it. Click the Add (+) button to create a new note or click the Delete (x) button to remove a note. To change a note color, right-click a note, and then select a color. To exit, right-click the Sticky Note program on the taskbar, and then click Close Window.

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