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University of Wyoming

Word
Tabs

[pdf version]

Setting Tabs

Set tabs using either the rule or the Tabs dialog box.

Note:  When columns are created that may contain a great deal of text and need to accommodate for wrap-around, create a table.

In Word, set tab stops for each paragraph, not for each line.  In other words, every line in a paragraph must have identical tab stops.  It's much easier to plan on having just one line per paragraph and one paragraph per line.  (Remember, a paragraph is defined by a manual enter.)  Also, remember that all paragraph formatting is stored in the paragraph mark.  This includes the tab stops.  Copy or move a paragraph mark, and the tab stops go with it.

You have much better control setting tabs using the Tabs dialog box.

  1. Select Format > Tabs.
  2. Type the tab stop position.  Do not press enter when more than one tab is being set or the Alignment and/or Leader settings are being modified.
  3. If setting more than one tab, press the Set button after each tab stop set.
  4. Select the Alignment.  Left is the default.
  5. Select a Leader.  None is the default.
  6. Press Set.

Note:  The Bar tab type creates a vertical rule.  This setting is not very attractive.  If you need a vertical line, use tables or borders.

Word default for tabs is one tab each half-inch.  When a tab is set, all tabs to the left of the first tab are cleared.  When custom tabs are set in a paragraph, the new paragraph inherits the same tab stops when Enter is pressed.  To restore a paragraph to the default (left-aligned tab stops every half inch), select the paragraph.  Bring up the Styles and Formatting task pane, and click the original style's name.  This is probably Normal.

Using Tabs to Create User-Input Form

  1. Type the test, including tab characters.
  2. Position the insertion point inside the first paragraph.  Choose Format > Tabs.  Set two tab stops - a left-aligned tab at 3 inches, with underscore leader type 4, and a right-aligned tab at 6 inches with underscore leader.
  3. Position the insertion point inside the second paragraph, and set a right-aligned tab at 6 inches, with underscore leader.
  4. Position the insert point in the third paragraph, and set three tabs:  left-aligned at 3 inches, left-aligned at 4.5 inches, and right-aligned at 6 inches, all with underscore leader.

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Updated 09/15/2006