How-To Guides: Using Tabs

A tab is used to align text and information by moving your cursor from one position in a Microsoft Word document to the next. It allows you to indent paragraphs and form lists. There are four types of tabs that are commonly used:

•  - Left Tab: This is the default tab with the text starting at the end of the tab flowing right
•  - Center Tab: This tab sits in the center, with the text flowing evenly to both sides
•  - Right Tab: This tab sits to the right of the text, with the text flowing left
•  - Decimal Tab: This tab is used for inserting numbers and allows columns of numbers to align at the decimal point

Word has built in tab stops that are set at every half inch but can be changed by one of two methods: using the Ruler Toolbar or using the Tabs Command in the Format Menu.

To Set Tabs Using the Ruler Toolbar:

1.   Go to the View menu and check Ruler (if it is not already checked).

2.   Go to the small box at the left end of the ruler and click the box until the type of tab you want to insert appears. If you are unsure which tab it is, point the mouse on the tab button and wait until the tab name appears.

3.   On the horizontal ruler in your document, click where you want to place the tab. The new tab marker should now appear on the ruler.

• For example, if you want to set up two lists on your document with list one beginning at inch one and list two beginning at inch two, click on the ruler at inch one and again at inch two. There should now be a tab marker at both of these two areas.

To Set Tabs Using the Format/Tabs Menus:

• Go to the Format menu and click on Tabs… The Tabs dialog box will open.
• Select the Alignment you want for the tabs (Left, Center, Right, Decimal, Bar).
• In the Tab stop position: box, enter the number in inches where you would like to set the tab.
• Click the Set button for the new tab stop.
• Click the OK button at the bottom of the box. The new tab marker should now appear on the ruler.

To Use a Tab:

• Click in front of the text you want to move.
• Press the Tab key. The insertion point and the text should move to the tab you set.

To Delete a Tab:

• Click on the tab you want to remove and drag the tab downward (or upward) off the ruler.
• The tab should disappear from the ruler.

To Move a Tab:

• Click on the tab you want to move and drag the tab to the new spot on the ruler.
• The new tab marker should now appear on the ruler.

 

 

 

[Posted on December 5, 2006]