Open Google Docs
Click the document where you want MLA formatting
Go to Format → Align & indent → Indentation options
Set Left indent to 0
Set Right indent to 0
Set Special indent to Hanging
Set Hanging indent value to 0.5″
Set Spacing: go to Format → Line & paragraph spacing → Custom spacing
Set Line spacing to Double
Set Paragraph spacing before to 0 pt
Set Paragraph spacing after to 0 pt
Set font: choose Times New Roman or another standard MLA font
Set font size to 12
Set margins: go to File → Page setup
Set all margins to 1 inch
Add header for page numbers: go to Insert → Headers → Header (or Edit header)
Click Insert → Page numbers → Choose top right (or as your instructor prefers)
Ensure the header includes your last name with the page number (if required)
Set the first page header: go to the first page header and add your last name
Add a space and the page number (e.g., “Smith 1”)
Set title formatting: type your paper title centered
Do not underline, bold, or italicize the title
Press Enter once after the title
Start the first line of your essay at the left margin with no extra indentation beyond MLA hanging indent rules for citations
Create Works Cited page:
Put the cursor at the end of your paper
Press Enter until you reach a new page
Type Works Cited centered (do not bold or underline)
Press Enter
For each entry in Works Cited, use alphabetical order by the first element
Apply hanging indent to every Works Cited entry (0.5″ hanging)
Use double spacing throughout the Works Cited entries
Add URLs/DOIs as required by your source type