Share via

How to Reduce Indent in Word's Outline View

Anonymous
2022-05-05T19:16:16+00:00

I've occasionally searched for a solution to this over the past several years. Only a few people have asked this question, but it doesn't get answered because those who post an answer usually give a solution that changes how the document is laid out and printed. Outline View only changes how the document is displayed and that is what I want to change. I don't want to change the formatting of default tabs, numbered list layouts, or anything else in the printed document appearance.

I want to change the amount of indentation displayed in Outline View. The current level of indent is excessive and quickly extinguishes the amount of space available to display a heading or normal text. This increases the number of lines needed for a piece of text, and as a result other text is pushed lower on the page which cancels much of the benefit of using Outline View. I can always return to "Printed View" to see how the text really looks, but in "Outline View" the goal is to work with ideas and concepts rather than presentation.

How can I change the defaults of the Outline View and not the document layout in order to reduce the amount of indentation in Outline View?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

10 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Stefan Blom 341.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-05-07T08:07:30+00:00

    You can't change the level indents in Outline view.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-05-07T22:54:12+00:00

    Suzanne, I apologize for my reply and I apologize for not noticing who you were addressing.

    My experience with forums goes clear back to FIDOnet and 300 baud modems. Since Microsoft, many years ago, started giving people credit for simply replying with any non-sensical, non-answer, I've developed a bad knee-jerk reaction to replies that don't attempt to answer what someone has asked about.

    These MS forums fill with garbage and many people with lots of tech experience and knowledge avoid spending time here because it simply wastes their time. ...nevertheless, thank you for your efforts.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Stefan Blom 341.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-05-09T16:20:59+00:00

    I have never seen any information that level indents could be controlled by registry entries. My guess is that this is hard-coded into the program, but it is difficult to tell for certain.

    Generally, the official documentation on Word's registry entries is limited.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2022-05-06T22:42:08+00:00

    Generally, you may use the Ruler marker, use the paragraph dialog box or format some template styles to adjust the indent.

    That does not help. Your suggestions change the formatting of the printed document. My goal is to change the "view" so that Outline View shows less indent at each level.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-05-07T01:20:41+00:00

    My reply was addressed to Cliff Gu, who is obviously not familiar with Outline view and asked for screen shots.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments