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

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last updated August 12, 2003