How to Make Block Quote In Google Docs

Last Updated : 9 May, 2026

A block quote in Google Docs is a formatting style used to highlight longer quotes or excerpts by indenting them and sometimes changing font style or size. This makes important passages stand out and easy to identify.

Different Ways to Add a Block Quote in Google Docs

  • Method 1: Add a Block Quote in Google Docs using the Indentation option
  • Method 2: How to Add a Block Quote Using the Tab Key
  • Method 3: How to Do a Block Quote in Google Docs- Quick Tips
  • Method 4: How to Make A Block Quote in Google Docs as per Grammar Style in Google Docs

How to Do a Block Quote in Google Docs using the Indentation Option

Here is how you can manually format a piece of text in Google Docs to turn it into a block quote:

Step 1: Select the text

Select the text that you wish to turn into a block quote.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Select the text

Step 2: Increase the indent

Go to the three dots in the menu bar and select the Increase Indent button to increase the indentation. Further, you can use Ctrl + ] (On Windows) or Cmd +] (on Mac).

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Increase indent

Step 3: Change spacing

By default, the spacing is that is 1.15 but you can change that if needed. Go to the Format tab and Click on Line & paragraph spacing. Choose the desired spacing.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Change spacing

Step 4: Add quotation marks

Place the cursor at the beginning of the block quote and press the quotation(") key on the keyboard. Do the same for the end of the block quote.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Add quotation marks

Step 5: Italics the block quote

Select the block quote along with the quotation marks and click on the Italics button in the menu.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Italicize the block quote

Step 6: Preview

Here you have your block quote:

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Result

How to Indent a Block Quote on Google Docs Using the Ruler

Note that the ruler might already be present on top of your page in Google Docs. If it is, then you can skip to step 2.

Step 1: Go to the show ruler option

Click on the View tab and go to the Show Ruler option.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Show ruler

Step 2: Select the text

Select the text that you wish to change into a Block quote.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Select the text

Step 3: Drag the left indent marker

Hold and drag the left indent marker in the ruler to 0.5 inches to the right.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Drag the indent marker

Step 4: Preview

Here is the result:

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Result

Note: That's it for setting the indentation. You can now follow the above steps from Step 3 to format the block quote further.

How to Add a Block Quote Using Tab Key

Using the tab key is the simplest method to add a block quote in Google Docs, once you set it up.

Step 1: Go to add left tab stop

Right-click the ruler and select the add left tab stop option.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Add left tab

Step 2: Drag the blue marker

You must see a blue triangle-shaped marker, pointing right. Drag it and drop it to 0.5 inches in the right direction.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Drag the left marker

Step 3: Select the text and press the tab

Select the text that you wish to turn into a block quote and click the Tab key on your keyboard.

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Select the text and press tab

Step 4: Preview Result

Here is the result:

 Make Block Quote In Google Docs
Result

Note: That's it for setting the indentation. You can now follow the above steps from Step 3 to format the block quote further.

How to Make A Block Quote in Google Docs as per Grammar Style in Google Docs

The above method of creating a block quote is well suited to creating a standard block quote. But if you are required to work according to a grammar style, then you must format the block quote as per the particular style guide.

Here are a few basic styles and their corresponding formatting rules:

MLA

  • Add an introductory sentence that ends with a colon.
  • Double-spacing.
  • 0.5-inch indentation.

APA

  • Quotation marks are not used.
  • Started on a new line with the indentation of the whole block as 0.5 inches from left.
  • Double-spacing.
  • No extra spaces before or after the block quote.
  • For paragraphs within a block quote, indent the first line of each para further 0.5 inches.

Chicago

  • No quotation marks to be used
  • single line spacing
  • space before and after quotes
  • 0.5 inches indentation
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