Align the text of an APA Style paper to the left margin. Leave the right margin uneven, or “ragged.” Do not use full justification for student papers or manuscripts being submitted for publication.

Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line. However, it is acceptable if your word-processing program automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks (such as in a DOI or URL in a reference list entry).

Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 inches from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.

Exceptions to these paragraph-formatting requirements are as follows:

• Title page: For student papers, the title (in bold), byline, affiliations, course number and name, instructor, and assignment due date should be centered on the title page.
• Section labels: Section labels (e.g., “Abstract,” “References”) should be centered (and bold).
• Abstract: The first line of the abstract should be flush left (not indented).
• Block quotations: Indent a whole block quotation 0.5 in. from the left margin. If the block quotation spans more than one paragraph, the first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs of the block quotation should be indented another 0.5 in., such that those first lines are indented a total of 1 in.
• Headings: Level 1 headings should be centered (and in bold), and Level 2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold italic, respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular paragraphs.
• Tables and figures: Table and figure numbers (in bold), titles (in italics), and notes should be flush left.
• Reference list: Reference list entries should have a hanging indent of 0.5 in.
• Appendices: Appendix labels and titles should be centered (and bold).

To indent first line of all paragraphs:

The easiest way to indent the first line of each paragraph is to hit the [tab] key each time you start a paragraph.  The default tab size in most word processing programs is .5 inches, which is what APA requires.  Do not use the space key to indent, as different fonts use different sized spaces.  If you have already typed your paper and did not use the [tab] key, here is a video on how to do all of the paragraphs at once.  Be sure to select the text you wish it to apply to rather than using "select all," since the Reference Page will use a different indentation style called a "hanging indent."

How to indent first lines of paragraphs in Microsoft Word:

1. Select the paragraphs you want to indent (do not use Select All, since the References Page will use a different indentation style)
2. Click the small arrow to open the Paragraph Settings window
3. In the Indentation section, click the Special drop-down menu
4. Select First Line
5. Confirm the indentation amount is set to .5 (this is usually the default)
6. Click Ok

How to indent first lines in Google Docs:

1. Select the paragraphs you want to indent (do not use Select All, since the References Page will use a different indentation style)
2. Click Format
3. Hover over Align & Indent, then click Indentation Options
4. Click the Special drop-down menu
5. Select First Line
6. Click in the box that appears next to First Line and type .5
7. Click Apply

APA style requires the References page to use a hanging indent.  A hanging indent has the first line of each reference flush with the left margin and each line underneath indented by .5 inches.  The easiest way to do this is to write your references without indentation, then select them all and change them all to a hanging indent.  Do not use the [tab] key or space bar to create the illusion of a hanging indent.

How to create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word:

1. Write all of your references without using any indentation (remember, the references are all double-spaced, and the reference page has a heading of "References," bolded and centered, at the top of the page)
2. Select all of your references
3. Click the small arrow to open the Paragraph Settings window
4. In the Indentation section, click the Special drop-down menu
5. Select Hanging
6. Confirm the indentation amount is set to .5 (this is usually the default)
7. Click Ok

How to create a hanging indent in Google Docs:

1. Write all of your references without using any indentation (remember, the references are all double-spaced, and the reference page has a heading of "References," bolded and centered, at the top of the page)
2. Select all of your references
3. Click Format
4. Hover over Align & Indent, then click Indentation Options
5. Click the Special drop-down menu
6. Select Hanging
7. Click in the box that appears next to Hanging and type .5
8. Click Apply