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How to indent the second line of an APA citation (hanging indent)

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): APA references use a hanging indent: the first line starts at the margin and the following lines are indented 0.5 inch, about 1.27 cm. In Word, select the references, open Home › Paragraph, choose Special: Hanging, By: 0.5", or press Ctrl+T on Windows. In Google Docs, select them and go to Format › Align & indent › Indentation options › Special indent: Hanging, 0.5. Keep the whole list double-spaced with no extra blank lines, in alphabetical order, under a bold, centered References heading on a new page.

Do it now, right here

Style
Source

Your reference

In-text citation:

Formatting (italics or bold) is kept when you paste into Word or Google Docs. Check names and dates against the source.

Step by step

  1. Paste the references and select them.
  2. Set Special: Hanging, 0.5 inch.
  3. Double-space and sort alphabetically.

At a glance

SettingAPA 7 valueWhere in Word
Hanging indent0.5 in (1.27 cm)Paragraph › Special › Hanging
Line spacingDoubleParagraph › Line spacing
HeadingReferences, bold, centeredNew page

Related questions

Do I indent with the Tab key?

No, use the hanging indent setting so lines wrap correctly.

Does the italics survive pasting?

Yes, copying from the generator keeps the italics.

Is the list single or double spaced?

Double spaced, inside and between entries.

More questions: apa citation generator

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Updated November 14, 2026.