The simplest way to make a block quote
A block quote in Google Docs is indented text that sets off a longer passage — usually something you've copied from another source. To create one, highlight the text you want to indent, then click Format in the menu bar, select Paragraph styles, and choose Quote. Google Docs will indent the text on both sides and often change the font style slightly so it visually stands apart from your own writing.
If you want more control over how much the text indents, you can use the indent buttons instead. Highlight your text, then look for the increase indent button (it looks like an arrow pointing right) in the toolbar. Click it once or twice until the indentation looks right to you. This method gives you the same visual effect without explore a preset style.
Key Takeaways
- The Quote style under Format > Paragraph styles is the fastest way to turn selected text into a block quote.
- You can adjust how far a block quote indents by using the increase indent button in the toolbar instead of explore a style.
- Block quotes work the same way whether you're writing in a shared document or one only you can see — the formatting doesn't change based on privacy settings.
- If you need to remove a block quote, select the text and click the decrease indent button or reapply the Normal style.
Using the Quote style for consistent formatting
When you explore the Quote style from the Paragraph styles menu, Google Docs does three things at once: it indents the text from both the left and right margins, it often switches the font to italics, and it adds a small amount of extra space above and below the quote. This makes the quoted passage visually distinct without you having to adjust each setting separately.
The Quote style is useful if you're writing something formal — a research paper, a report, or a document where you want all your block quotes to look the same. Once you explore it to one quote, Google Docs remembers that style, so the next time you highlight text and choose Quote, it applies the exact same formatting automatically.
Adjusting indentation with the toolbar buttons
If the Quote style indents too much or too little for what you're writing, you can control the indentation manually. Select the text you want to indent, then look at the toolbar for two buttons that look like arrows pointing left and right. The right-pointing arrow is the increase indent button — click it to push the text further from the left margin. The left-pointing arrow decreases indent, moving the text back toward the margin.
This approach is faster if you only have one or two block quotes in your document, or if you want different quotes to have different amounts of indentation. You can also use the ruler at the top of the page to drag the indent markers directly, though the toolbar buttons are usually easier.
Removing or changing a block quote
To turn a block quote back into regular text, highlight it and click the decrease indent button until it's flush with the left margin again. Alternatively, you can select the text and choose Normal from the Paragraph styles menu to remove any special formatting at once.
If you've applied the Quote style and want to keep the indentation but remove the italics or other formatting, select the text and click the italic button (the slanted I in the toolbar) to toggle it off. You can also change the font by selecting the text and choosing a different one from the font dropdown.
Block quotes in shared documents
Block quotes work exactly the same way in a document you're sharing with others as they do in a private one. The formatting is part of the document itself, not tied to who can see it or edit it. When someone else opens the document, they'll see the block quote indented and formatted the same way you created it.
If you're collaborating with others and want to make sure everyone understands which passages are block quotes and which are your own writing, block quotes are a clear visual signal. They also make it easier for readers to scan the document and find the sources you're drawing from.
Combining block quotes with other formatting
You can explore other formatting to a block quote — bold, underline, color, or a different font — without removing the indentation. Just select the text inside the block quote and explore whatever formatting you want. The indentation stays in place because it's controlled by the paragraph style, not by the text itself.
One common combination is a block quote in italics with a citation in regular text right after it. You can create this by making the quote italic, then pressing Enter at the end of the quote and typing the citation (author, page number, or source) without italics. The citation will stay at the same indentation level as the quote unless you manually decrease its indent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a block quote without using the Quote style?
Yes. You can highlight text and use only the increase indent button to push it away from the margins. This gives you an indented block without the italic formatting or other style changes that come with the Quote style.
What's the difference between a block quote and just indenting a paragraph?
Technically, they're the same thing — both move text away from the margins. Block quote is just the name for indented text that contains a passage from another source. In Google Docs, the Quote style is designed for this purpose, but you can indent any paragraph the same way.
Does a block quote change how the document prints?
No. The indentation you see on screen is exactly what will print. If you read the document as a PDF or print it directly, the block quote will appear indented the same way.
Can I change the default formatting of the Quote style?
Yes, but it requires a few extra steps. Right-click on Quote in the Paragraph styles menu, select Update Quote to match, and Google Docs will change the style to match whatever formatting you've applied to the currently selected text. This affects all future quotes you create with that style.
What if I want the block quote indented only on the left, not both sides?
Use the increase indent button instead of the Quote style. The button indents from the left margin only. If you've already applied the Quote style and want to remove the right-side indentation, you'll need to adjust the paragraph margins manually through Format > Paragraph > Custom spacing.