Setting Tab Stops Using the Ruler
Microsoft Word offers five different types of tab stops that
can be set from the ruler.
Types of Tabs
- left tab
- the leftmost character of the text is aligned on the tab
stop
- works the same as a typewriter tab
- represented by


(Word
XP) or

(Word
X)
- center tab
- the center character of the text is aligned on the tab
stop
- represented by


(Word
XP) or

(Word
X)
- right tab
- the rightmost character is aligned on the tab stop
- represented by

(Word
XP) or

(Word
X)
- decimal tab
- aligns numbers by their decimal point on the tab
stop
- if no decimal point is present, acts like a right
tab
- represented by

(Word
XP) or

(Word
X)
- bar tab
- inserts a vertical line at the tab stop
- represented by

(Word
XP) or

(Word
X)
Setting tab stops
- Rotate the Tab Alignment button (just to the
left of the paragraph markers on the ruler) to select the
desired tab. With each click, the button will display a
different tab type as shown above.
- click in the ruler at the desired location


- drag the tab stop left/right if necessary to realign (note
the vertical gray line that drops from the tab stop
through the text to help you position the tab)
- if no tabs are set, the default is one left tab every half
inch
 |
Note:
As you click on the Tab Alignment button, you will also see buttons for first line indent
and hanging indent. in Microsoft
Word XP. |
Removing tab stops
- simply drag the tab symbol off of the ruler into the typing
area and release the mouse button
Practice
- reposition your cursor at the bottom of your practice text
and press <RETURN> / <ENTER>
twice
- if necessary reset the margin markers for a block style
paragraph
- set the following tabs
- left tab at 1.5"
- center tab at 3.0"
- right tab at 4.5"
- decimal tab at 5.5"
- enter the following
- press <TAB>, then type your first name
- press <TAB>, then type your significant
other's first name
- press <TAB>, then type your last name
- press <TAB>, then type 26.78
- press <RETURN> / <ENTER>
once
- now enter another line of similar information
- press <RETURN> / <ENTER> once,
repeat for a third line of text
- note the alignment of the text
- now try this
- click in any line and adjust one or more of the tab
stops
- only one line of text is adjusted
- choose Edit
Undo
- now drag to select all of the lines of tabbed text and
adjust one or more of the tab stops
- now all lines of tabbed text adjust
Copyright
©
2003
last updated
August 12, 2003