A hanging indent makes wrapped lines in a Google Slides list sit in a clear relationship to the first line. It is useful when long bullet items look untidy or when a numbered item wraps close to the left edge. This is a text-layout adjustment, not a change to the box’s outer position.
Select the relevant text
Open the slide on a computer and highlight the list items or paragraph that need adjustment. Include a wrapped item in your selection so you can judge the effect. Check that an unintended neighboring paragraph has not been highlighted.
Choose a hanging indent
Open Format > Format options and expand Text fitting in the sidebar. Under Special indent, choose Hanging. Adjust the By value when a different amount is needed. Google’s guidance gives this Slides-specific route rather than the separate Google Docs indentation dialog.
Make a small change first and inspect the relationship between the bullet or number and the wrapped text. A large indent can reduce the usable line width and produce more wrapping.
Check the final list
Review several items, including the longest line and any nested level. Confirm that the chosen indent supports the list’s intended meaning and does not make a subordinate point look like a new main item. Present the slide at audience scale. If the text is still crowded, revise the wording or split the material; indentation can clarify structure, but it cannot turn an overly dense block of instructions into a readable presentation.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.