How to Create the Smartest Indent for a Manuscript (and more)

(Updated May 2026)

With all the manuscripts I edit I’ve learned many writers don’t know the standard formatting for a book manuscript or how to create a proper indent to their paragraphs. Many seem to rely on the default settings in MS Word, which uses a sans serif font, single spacing, and 8pt between paragraphs with no indent. Don’t ask me why…maybe it’s a holdover from the olden days and the block business letter style (I remember when…).

Whatever the reason, it isn’t the best format for your book manuscript. Standard formatting is Times New Roman, 12pt font, double space, first line indent. This is what most editors, literary agents, and traditional publishers prefer.

While I can’t unequivocally say that publishers prefer writers use the first line indent, I can say you’ll look like a savvy writer if you do.

Here’s how to create the it.

A Visual of the First Line Indent

The first line indent is formatting that removes the need for the TAB KEY at the beginning of every paragraph. It is the formatting the publisher will eventually use in preparing your manuscript for publication. If you self-publish, this indent is a formatting essential.

In the picture below you’ll see three different ways to create an indent. On the first line you see a small arrow pointing right. That’s the symbol Word displays for the TAB. On the second line are a bunch of dots leading up to “How.” Those are space marks and the worst way to indent your paragraphs (or any line). The third you see a blank space. That line was created using a first line indent.

Take a look at the top of the picture. This is the ruler Word can display at the top of your document and the black arrow is pointing to where the indent is set—note the tiny blue triangle pointing down that sits at the top of the ruler.

Creating the Standard Manuscript Formatting

Now that you know what this indent looks like, here’s how to format/create it using Word.

Below is a picture of the Home Tab on the Formatting Tool Bar. Open a document in Word and click on the tiny down arrow in the bottom right corner of the section marked Paragraph.

That opens the paragraph dialog box. This is where you can format how your paragraph appears. Ensure you are on the Indents and Spacing tab.

Under Indentation, click the down arrow under Special. You’ll see these options: none, first line, and hanging. First line is the one you want. Next to that is “By:” This is where you set how much Word automatically indents the first line of each paragraph. The default is .5 (a half inch). I usually set mine to 0.3” but you may prefer something else.

Under the Spacing section, set your spacing at 0 pt for both Before and After. This is spacing that occurs before and after every paragraph. Then under Line Spacing, set it for double spacing.

Once you’ve done this, click on OK at the bottom of the window. As you write, each time you hit the enter key Word will automatically begin each new paragraph with this indent. You won’t have to use the TAB KEY. Further, you have double spacing without extra space between each paragraph.

If you prefer, here’s a YouTube video that shows how to do all this.

MS Word’s Automatic Formatting

MS Word is notorious with automatic formatting that can really get in the way.

Ever type 3 asterisks to mark a scene change, hit return and then get a full line of nothing but little black squares? Or you enter 3 hashtags and get a a line bar all the way across the page? Sheesh, so annoying. You can hit the backspace key and it will revert to your original. However…

You can get rid of that autoformatting by going to File→Options→Proofing→AutoCorrect Options. This will bring up the second window you see labeled AutoCorrect. From there find the AutoFormat As You Type tab. Under “Apply as you type,” uncheck the box marked Border lines. This resets your default, and every new Word doc you open should act correctly (no wild borders appearing when you hit return).

Two very helpful autoformats you do want are under the “Replace as you type” section. Check the boxes for straight quotes with smart quotes (curly quotes) and Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.

The hyphens (two in a row between letters or numbers) with dash, will get you an en dash. An en dash is shorter than an em dash and is used between dates and numbers to indicate “through.” March 5 through 7, March 5–7. More often it is the em dash you want as a break in the sentence. Here is a post that discusses its correct use and size.

Spend a little time in these windows to see what else you can do. You might discover something that will save you time and a few headaches.

I hope this has been helpful for those of you who struggle with the intricacies of software. The less formatting we have to think about as we write, the better!