List Indentation
List indentation serves both alignment and hierarchy. Hanging indents help wrapped lines align with item text, while deeper indentation can mark nested items; the exact implementation depends on the authoring system.
Use indentation consistently so wrapped text aligns clearly and deeper indentation represents genuine subordination. Exact spacing is platform- or house-style-specific.
Key details
Important caveats
Alignment Boundary
Hanging indentation can align wrapped checklist or list text with the text after the marker instead of the marker itself.
Hierarchy Boundary
Indentation can also signal nested hierarchy, but exact spaces, tabs, or controls depend on the authoring system.
Platform Boundary
Microsoft Learn Markdown documents indentation as platform syntax; do not present one indentation width as a universal writing rule.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Make a checklist in Word (opens in a new tab)Microsoft Support · Interactive and print checklist construction plus hanging indentation for wrapped items
- Markdown reference for Microsoft Learn — Contributor guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft Learn contributor reference for Markdown authoring, including headings/navigation, conceptual images and icons, includes, lists/checklists, nonlocalized strings, alerts, comments, tables, and other Learn extensions.