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Trouble indenting block quotes in Word


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#1 godzilla1347

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Posted 16 April 2024 - 01:48 AM

This is infuriating! When I indent a block quote in Word, the program also indents the data above it. Even if I highlight the block text, it still not only moves the block quote but the text above it. The only way I can move the block quote by itself is if I add a line to the text above it, but then I'm stuck with an extra blank lne. This should be simple--highlight the block quote and move it but Word sees the block text attached the the previous line and moves both.



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#2 MoxieMomma

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Posted 16 April 2024 - 06:13 AM

Hi:

For starters, it would help us to better assist you if you could please tell us:

1. What edition and major version of Windows you are running, e.g. Windows 11 Home 23H2

And

2. What version of MS Office you are running, e.g. Office 2019, Office 2021, Office 365/MS 365


Thank you

#3 godzilla1347

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Posted 16 April 2024 - 10:45 PM

I tried to respond to your message as a reply to your email but for some reason I got a mailer daemon message that said there was no such email address, so I'll respond here.

This was the message I was trying to send

 

Hi
My version of windows is Windows 10 and I am using - Office Professional Plus 2021for Word.
 
I don't understand why Word cannot let me highlight a block of text as a block quote and indent it without indenting the text above the block quote as well. It appears that Word sees any indented block quotes as part of the previous paragraph and moves both, which defeats the purpose of trying to simply indent a block quote. I have used the tab key and the indent tool in the paragraph group and the same thing happens---not just the block quote but all the text above it indents as well.
 
The only way I can actually indent the block quote is by adding a blank line above the block quote, which tells Word that the block quote is separate from the text above it, but then I'm stuck with an additional blank line. If I delete it, I have to go through the convoluted process of going to the Line and Spacing tool in the paragraph group and try to remove the blank space that way. Sometimes I even have to add a space, go back and fanagle with that applet before I can get rid of that added line. There's got to be an easier way to do this. I am writing a book and every time I have to add a block quote, I run through this nightmare.

Thanks


Edited by godzilla1347, 16 April 2024 - 10:48 PM.


#4 godzilla1347

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Posted 16 April 2024 - 10:48 PM

Hi
My version of windows is Windows 10 and I am using - Office Professional Plus 2021for Word.
 
I don't understand why Word cannot let me highlight a block of text as a block quote and indent it without indenting the text above the block quote as well. It appears that Word sees any indented block quotes as part of the previous paragraph and moves both, which defeats the purpose of trying to simply indent a block quote. I have used the tab key and the indent tool in the paragraph group and the same thing happens---not just the block quote but all the text above it indents as well.
 
The only way I can actually indent the block quote is by adding a blank line above the block quote, which tells Word that the block quote is separate from the text above it, but then I'm stuck with an additional blank line. If I delete it, I have to go through the convoluted process of going to the Line and Spacing tool in the paragraph group and try to remove the blank space that way. Sometimes I even have to add a space, go back and fanagle with that applet before I can get rid of that added line. There's got to be an easier way to do this. I am writing a book and every time I have to add a block quote, I run through this nightmare.

Thanks



#5 MoxieMomma

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Posted 17 April 2024 - 04:04 AM


Hi:

Thank you for your reply.

The email you received is merely a notification that there has been a reply.
You cannot reply to that via email.
You need to reply here in your forum thread, as you have now done. :-)

Several questions:
1. Is your Windows OS properly & legally licensed and activated?
2. Is your Office 2021 properly & legally licensed and activated?
3. Is this a new problem, *OR* has it always been a problem since installing Office 2021?
4. Does the problem occur in ALL Word documents, *OR* only one/some?

1 suggestion:
Try a repair of your Office application:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b

Let us know if this resolves the issue

Thanks

#6 Secret-Squirrel

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Posted 18 April 2024 - 03:14 AM

Godzilla, what you're experiencing is normal behaviour for Word. I also get exactly the same results when I try it.

 

I think that you can do is to use the spacing option for the paragraph above to remove the blank line.



#7 godzilla1347

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Posted 20 April 2024 - 12:57 AM

That's a terrible oversight from the developers. There is no rational reason that a word processing program is developed where you can't highlight text and indent it without the text above it indenting also. The only fix I have is adding blank lines, which tells the program that it's a different paragraph. The problem is you have to remove the blank lines afterwards and it is a big waste of time.

 

I don't know what you mean by :"using the spacing option above to remove the blank line." I'm wasting more time with formatting than writing. I have used the repair option to no avail. I suspect if you're having the same problem, it's universal. You would think Microsoft would have addressed this as it's a ridiculous and critical program flaw. 



#8 JohnC_21

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Posted 21 April 2024 - 12:42 PM

According to the below link in Step 2 the text above the indent does not also indent. I didn't test it as I don't use Word.

 

https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/block-quote/

 

Edit: I was to get it to work on Libre Office but I also ran into a issue where the text above the block quote also moves. It seems before you highlight any text press enter at the beginning of the quote box and enter at the end. Highlight the text then do the indent. In any case there is still a blank line above and below the quote box.


Edited by JohnC_21, 21 April 2024 - 01:05 PM.


#9 Secret-Squirrel

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Posted 22 April 2024 - 01:19 AM

According to the below link in Step 2 the text above the indent does not also indent........................

Yes, but there's also a blank line above the block quote. That is what the OP doesn't want and why he posted here.
 

I'll reiterate what I said a few days ago - it's normal behaviour for Word.






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