SET PARAGRAPH INDENT Sets the number of spaces to be added or subtracted at the start of new paragraphs---relative to the left margin of the buffer. The setting applies to new paragraphs or to paragraphs you reformat with FILL commands. Examples: Commands Effects ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SET PARA IND 4 Indents the first line of a new paragraph 4 spaces. Thus, if the left margin is 1, the first line of a paragraph will start in column 5, with a shape of like this: xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx SET PARA IND 0 (Default.) New paragraphs will start at the left margin---no indent---sometimes called a "block" paragraph: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx SET PARA IND -3 Subtracts 3 spaces at the start of a new paragraph ---sometimes called an "outdent" or "hanging" paragraph with the first line left of the left margin. Thus, if the left margin is 8, the first line of a paragraph will start in column 5. This lets you format lists with a number or "bullet" to the left of the text: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx Usage notes: o SET PARAGRAPH INDENT does not by itself reformat existing text. The setting applies to new paragraphs or to paragraphs you reformat with FILL commands. o Paragraph boundaries are any of the following: * Blank line * Top or bottom of the buffer * Page break (form feed at the start of a line) * RUNOFF command (such as .BREAK;) at the start of a line * VAX DOCUMENT tag (such as <LE>) at the start of a line o The sum of the paragraph indent and left margin must be less than the right margin and (in the case of a negative indent) at least 1. For example, to set the paragraph indent to -3, your left margin must be at least 4. To find out the current settings, use the SHOW command. o Paragraph indent is a buffer attribute---you can have a different setting for each buffer you edit. For example, editing a source program in one buffer, you can use a paragraph indent of 0; editing a memo in another buffer, you can use a paragraph indent of 3. o To set the same paragraph indent for all your buffers, use an initialization file (typically named EVE$INIT.EVE) containing the SET PARAGRAPH INDENT command you want and use that file when you invoke EVE. See help on Initialization Files. o Paragraph indent set by command is relative to the current left margin of the buffer; set with the WPS Ruler key (GOLD-R), it is independent of the left margin. o If the paragraph indent is not 0, you cannot use FILL or FILL RANGE to reformat a range unless the range starts at the start of a paragraph. o On DECwindows, you can set the paragraph indent as follows: 1. Choose Set Paragraph Indent from the Format menu or choose Buffer Attributes from the Customize menu. 2. A dialog box appears in which you type the indent you want. Related topics: Defaults FILL SET LEFT MARGIN SHOW