How To Indent In HTML Without CSS

In this tutorial, we will discuss a simple yet significant HTML formatting technique: indentation. Indentation makes your code more organized and easier to read. HTML indentation is typically done using CSS, but it can also be achieved without CSS by using some basic HTML tags.

Let’s dive into the steps involved in indenting HTML without using CSS.

Step 1: Using <blockquote> Tag

The <blockquote> tag is a useful tool to create an indentation. By default, it is designed to display a quoted text in a slightly indented block. Using only <blockquote>, you can achieve simple indents. However, the <blockquote> tag also comes with a default set of stylings (browser-dependent), which may not be suitable for your use-case.

Example:

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<blockquote>
    <p>This paragraph is indented using the &lt;blockquote&gt; tag.</p>
</blockquote>

Output:

    This paragraph is indented using the <blockquote> tag.

Step 2: Using <ul> and <li> Tags

Another method to create indentation is by using <ul> and <li> tags, which are primarily designed for unordered lists. The items in the list are then indented relatively to their parent tag.

Example:

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<ul>
    <li><p>This paragraph is indented using &lt;ul&gt; and &lt;li&gt; tags.</p></li>
</ul>

Output:

•   This paragraph is indented using <ul> and <li> tags.

Step 3: Combining <blockquote> and <ul> Tags

To achieve a deeper level of indentation, you can creatively nest the tags mentioned above. For example, to accomplish a multi-level indentation effect, you can use a combination of <blockquote> and <ul> tags.

Example:

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<blockquote>
    <ul>
        <li><p>This paragraph is indented with a nested &lt;blockquote&gt; and &lt;ul&gt; tag.</p></li>
    </ul>
</blockquote>

Output:

        •   This paragraph is indented with a nested <blockquote> and <ul> tag.

Conclusion

Indenting in HTML without using CSS can be accomplished easily by using the <blockquote>, <ul>, and <li> tags. While it may not provide the same level of control and precision as CSS, it is a handy solution when you want a quick and practical way to achieve indentation in your markup.

Keep in mind that using these elements for indentation may not be the best practice in terms of semantic HTML, but they are a helpful workaround in situations where CSS is not available or applicable. Always consider using CSS for managing your website’s layout and formatting for the best results.