SOAP Notes and Hanging Indents
The hanging indent command (Ctrl + T) behaves differently when you start your line with A and a number as opposed to starting with a number and a hanging indent for text. To format starting with 1: Press Ctrl + T, type 1., press tab key, type text, press Enter to go to next number. When you are finished with your list, press Enter, then Ctrl + Shift + T to remove the indent if you choose to. You'll notice the indent setting on the ruler shift back to the left margin. You might also have to adjust your default tab settings. Each time you press Ctrl + T, you indent again. Press Ctrl + Shift + T to reverse if you indent too far. If you are working in Word 2000 or Word 2002, AutoIndent will force your list to the right unless you clear automatic lists in Tools/AutoCorrect/AutoFormat As You Type. To format starting with A: 1: First, set your tab stops directly on the ruler or in Format/Tabs that includes a stop where you want text to begin after numbers. Type A:
For #2,
#3 and subsequent numbers will auto format to align with #2 if auto numbering is turned on. This format will stay in effect until you press Ctrl + Shift + T to turn off the hanging indent. If your indents still go crazy on you, drag the tab pointers on the ruler to adjust, then save the format for future use. The pointers at the top of the ruler (pointing downward) control where the left side of your numbers line up. The pointers at the bottom of the ruler (pointing upward) control the distance from the number to the beginning of the text. They also control how far the second line of text in each paragraph is indented. Be very careful editing, particularly with the Backspace key or spacebar. You may want to show tabs and paragraph marks so you don't accidentally wipe out formatting. There are several ways to store this format for future use. Set up a template (.dot file) with boilerplate SOAP text and blank fields where you need to key in your text, create an AutoText entry of your format, or create a Style with a hot key. The easiest way to create a new paragraph style is to format a paragraph, select it, and then base the new style on the formatting and other properties applied to the selected text. It doesn't matter what you type in the paragraph; the formatting is all that is carried to the new style. Another method for setting up hanging indents: Use a Table to eliminate all those keystrokes. When the table is pre-formatted correctly, you only need to tab into cells or rows to get the correct format automatically and your formatting will never shift on you. Much of the confusion with hanging indents is due to several different methods to set it up. Another way is through Format/Bullets & Numbering/Customize or Format/Paragraph/Indentation/Special. More confusion enters into it if one of the many built-in numbering styles or default auto options try to automatically take over.
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