In Microsoft Word, which command is used to move selected paragraphs closer to the left margin by reducing their indentation?

Introduction / Context:
Word processing software such as Microsoft Word allows users to control paragraph indentation easily. Indentation determines how far a paragraph starts from the left or right margin. Being able to quickly increase or decrease indent is a common formatting task when preparing reports, letters and academic documents.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The application is Microsoft Word.
• The user wants to move selected paragraphs to the left, closer to the left margin.
• The question asks which named command allows this.
• Options include Increase Indent, Double Indent, Decrease Indent, Hanging Indent and Single Indent.

Concept / Approach:
On the Home tab in Microsoft Word, there are buttons labelled Increase Indent and Decrease Indent. Increase Indent pushes the paragraph further to the right, creating more space from the left margin. Decrease Indent does the opposite, pulling the paragraph back towards the left margin. Other terms like Double Indent or Single Indent are not standard button names, and Hanging Indent refers to a different style where the first line is less indented than the rest.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the goal is to move the paragraph to the left, which means reducing the indent value. Step 2: Remember that Increase Indent adds indentation from the left margin and moves text to the right, so it does the opposite of what is required. Step 3: Decrease Indent is the command that reduces the indent and brings the paragraph closer to the left margin. Step 4: Double Indent and Single Indent are not standard command names in the Word ribbon and do not correspond to the actual buttons users click. Step 5: Hanging Indent describes a special paragraph format where the first line starts at the margin and subsequent lines are indented, which is different from the simple left movement requested. Step 6: Therefore, the correct command to move selected paragraphs to the left is Decrease Indent.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you open Microsoft Word and select some text, you can see the Increase Indent and Decrease Indent buttons on the Home tab. Clicking Increase Indent makes the paragraph move to the right, while clicking Decrease Indent makes it move to the left. The tooltips confirm this behaviour by stating that Decrease Indent moves the paragraph closer to the margin. This matches the requirement described in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Increase Indent moves text away from the left margin rather than towards it. Double Indent and Single Indent are not actual button labels and therefore do not correctly name the feature. Hanging Indent refers to a paragraph style, not to a simple left shift of the entire paragraph block. Only Decrease Indent clearly matches both the effect and the real Word command name.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake in exams is to select Increase Indent because the word indent is strongly associated with formatting. To avoid this, remember that increase means more space from the margin and decrease means less space. Visualising the text moving right for increase and left for decrease will help you quickly decide which command is appropriate in questions and practical tasks.

Final Answer:
The command used to move selected paragraphs to the left by reducing indentation is Decrease Indent.