When you include a long quote in an essay, research paper, or article, it’s important to format it correctly. Here, we’ll show you how to create block quotes in google docs.
A block quote is a quote that starts on its line and is indented to make it stand out from the rest of the text. This draws attention to the quote and helps it stand out from the rest of the document.
Block Quotes Per Writing Style
Regarding block quotes, both MLA and APA writing styles have the same rules. But the rules for the Chicago style are different.
- MLA: More than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, no quotation marks, and double spacing.
- APA: 40 words or more, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, no quotation marks, double-spaced, and no line spaces above or below the quote.
- Chicago: Five lines or more, or 100 words or more, indented from the left margin, no quotation marks, and single spacing.
If you have to write in one of these styles, make sure you follow any other rules for block quotes or your paper as a whole. Talk to your teacher or use the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Before using one of the methods below to make a block quote, ensure the text is selected. This quote should begin on a new line, and the text after it should also begin on a new line.

Option 1: Do a Block Quote Using an Indent
You can use the built-in tool in Google Docs to indent paragraphs for your block quote.
Click the Increase Indent button in the toolbar or choose Format > Align & Indent > Increase Indent from the menu with the text highlighted.

Option 2: Create a Block Quote Using the Ruler
If you use the Ruler in Google Docs to change things like margins, you can also use it to make your block quote look better. Go to the menu and choose View > Show Ruler to show the Ruler.

Choose the indicator on the left side of the Ruler that says “Left Indent.” This is the triangle that sits next to the rectangle. Move the indicator to the right until 0.5 inches is reached. As you drag, you’ll see this. When you get to that point, let go.
Option 3: Add a Block Quote Using the Tab Key
If you use the default tab stops in Google Docs or have one set up for 0.5 inches from the margin, you can use the Tab key to indent your quote.
Again, ensure the whole block of quote text is selected, and then press Tab.
Not everything you do to format your document is a big job. So, if you need to add a block quote in Google Docs, format it the right way. When you use these methods, it only takes a few seconds.
Look at how to add citations in Google Docs if you need to give credit to the source of a quote.
How to double space in Google Docs
Depending on the content style guide for your brand, you may sometimes need to double space. This is also how to create block quotes in google docs.
Here’s how to add double spacing in your Google Docs file:
- Select the lines you want to adjust the spacing for
- Click the Line spacing formatting option
- Choose Double from the spacing options

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How to make Google Docs landscape
Sometimes a horizontal file layout might be better for your writing. This is also how to create block quotes in google docs.
Here’s how to set your Google Docs file to landscape mode:
- Click File
- Click Page setup
- Choose Landscape from the Orientation options (You can customize the default margins as you like.)
How to find and replace in Google Docs
The find and replace function is a helpful tool in Google Docs. It lets you look for all instances of a word, even in long documents, and then change or correct it all at once.
Here’s how to use Google Docs’ find and replace feature:
- Hit the shortcut Command + F on Mac (or Control + F on Windows)
- Click the More options icon
- Enter the term to find in the Find field
- Enter the term to replace the original term in the Replace with field
- Choose the Replace

How to put a box around text in Google Docs
Putting important information in a box is a great way to draw attention to it. The document is also more interesting because of these callout texts.
Here’s how to put a box around text in a Google Docs file:
- Click Insert
- Choose Table
- Select 1*1 (that’s a table with just one cell)
- Enter your text inside the cell/table

How to do a spell check in Google Docs
Google Docs has a very good spell checker built in.
Here is how to run a spell check on your Google Docs file:
- Click Tools
- Select Spelling
- Click Spell check
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FAQs
Each block quote starts on a new line. The whole block quotation is double-spaced and set apart by 0.5 inches, the same amount as a new paragraph. There are no quotation marks around a block quotation. The punctuation at the end of the block quote goes before the citation.
Type Shift + ‘ to add a double quote, which Google Docs defaults to using Smart Quotes
Only when the text is longer than 40 words (APA) or four lines is it necessary to use block quotations (MLA). You should put shorter quotes right into your text.
The block quote is used when a direct quote is longer than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry. When you quote dialogue between characters, like in a play, you always use a block quote. The block format is a quote that stands alone and doesn’t have quotation marks around it.