Indenting in the Google Docs app works through the Format panel, list controls, or a connected keyboard. Hanging indents are different: Google Docs handles those from the desktop web app, not the Android, iPhone, or iPad app. Start with the mobile steps below, then use the desktop method when you need citations or bibliography formatting.
Indent Text in the Google Docs App
This fixes regular paragraph or list indentation when the mobile formatting panel shows indent controls. Open your document in the Google Docs app. Select the paragraph or list item you want to move, or place the cursor inside it.
Tap Format, shown as an A icon, then tap Paragraph. Tap the right-facing indent icon to increase the indentation. Tap the left-facing indent icon to decrease the indentation.
Make a Nested List on Android
Use this when you are building a bulleted or numbered list in the Google Docs Android app. These controls apply to list indentation on Android phones and tablets.
Open the document in the Google Docs app and tap Edit. Tap the place where you want to add the list, then tap Format. Choose Numbered list or Bulleted list.
Tap Right arrow or List options when you need the extra list controls. At the bottom, tap Increase indent to move the list item in. Tap Decrease indent to move the list item back out.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts with a Connected Keyboard
A hardware keyboard gives the Google Docs app direct indent commands without opening menus. On Android, place the cursor in a paragraph or select the text, then press Ctrl + ] to increase paragraph indentation or Ctrl + [ to decrease it.
On iPhone or iPad, place the cursor in the paragraph or select the text, then press ⌘ + ] to increase paragraph indentation or ⌘ + [ to decrease it.
Some shortcuts do not work with every language or keyboard. When a shortcut does not respond, use Format > Paragraph in the app instead.
Create a Hanging Indent from Desktop Docs
On your computer, open the document in Google Docs. Highlight the text you want to indent, then click Format.
Choose Align & indent, then click Indentation options. Under Special indent, choose Hanging.
Change the size in the box next to Hanging when needed. Click Apply. After the hanging indent is saved, reopen the file in the mobile app to keep editing the document text.
Try Desktop Shortcuts for Faster Paragraph Indents
When you are already on a computer, these shortcuts are faster than opening the menu.
- 1.Open the document in Google Docs in a supported desktop browser.
- 2.Place the cursor in the paragraph, or select the text you want to indent.
- 3.On Windows, ChromeOS, or Linux, press Ctrl + ] to increase indentation.
- 4.On Windows, ChromeOS, or Linux, press Ctrl + [ to decrease indentation.
- 5.On Mac, press ⌘ + ] or ⌘ + [.
Indent a Desktop List with Tab
Open the document in Google Docs on your computer. Create a list item, or place the cursor inside an existing list item. Press Tab to start a list inside the list.
Press Enter twice when you want to return to the main list level. Use Tab for nested lists, not for general first-line paragraph indentation.
Use Voice Controls When Tapping Is Difficult
Android Voice Access can operate the visible Google Docs app controls hands-free. Turn on Voice Access, then start it by saying Hey Google, start Voice Access or by tapping the Voice Access activation button.
In Google Docs, say Show labels or Show numbers. Then say Tap Format, say Tap Paragraph, and choose the visible name or number for Increase indent or Decrease indent.
On iPhone or iPad, turn on Voice Control from Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control. In Google Docs, say Show names or Show numbers, then choose the visible indent control by name or number.
If this method fails, use the on-screen Format panel directly or switch to a connected keyboard shortcut.
Update the Google Docs App First
This fixes missing or outdated app controls before you try a different indentation method. On Android, open the official Google Docs page in Google Play. Tap Install or Update when the button is available.
On iPhone or iPad, open the official Google Docs page in the App Store. Tap Get or Update when the button is available. The current US App Store listing for Google Docs requires iOS 17.0 or later.
Skip Old Mobile Indent Workarounds
Use the supported controls instead of old mobile browser or whitespace tricks.
- 1.Use the mobile app's Format > Paragraph controls for regular paragraph indentation.
- 2.Use Android's Increase indent and Decrease indent buttons for list levels.
- 3.Use desktop Google Docs for Format > Align & indent > Indentation options > Special indent > Hanging.
- 4.Skip mobile browser desktop-site editing for Google Docs. Google's Android help says to download the Google Docs app to edit a file on a phone or tablet, and browser layout and indent controls vary by device.
- 5.Skip typed spaces or pasted tab-like blank characters, since they are visual workarounds rather than real paragraph indentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a hanging indent in the Google Docs app?
Google Docs does not offer a supported hanging-indent path in the Android, iPhone, or iPad app. Use Google Docs on a computer and choose Format > Align & indent > Indentation options > Special indent > Hanging.
What is the shortcut to indent in the Google Docs app?
With a connected keyboard, use Ctrl + ] and Ctrl + [ on Android. On iPhone or iPad, use ⌘ + ] and ⌘ + [. Some shortcuts do not work with every language or keyboard.
Can I use Tab to indent in the mobile app?
Use Tab for nested lists in the desktop web app. In the mobile app, use Format > Paragraph or the list indent buttons on Android.
Why do some indent options not show in my Google Docs app?
Update Google Docs from Google Play or the App Store. If the mobile app still does not show the control you need, use desktop Google Docs for advanced indentation such as hanging indents.