How to Set Tabs in a Microsoft Word Document

You can set tabs in a Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 (for PC) or 98 (for Macintosh) document to set off columns or lists. Word provides four types of tabs (left, right, center and decimal) and two ways to set them. It's easiest to set tabs with the ruler, but you can be more precise with the Tabs command.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Microsoft Word

Set Tabs Using the Ruler Toolbar

1. Go to the View menu and select Ruler.
2. Locate the small box at the left end of the ruler. Click the box until the type of tab you want to insert (left, right, center, decimal) appears. If you can't tell what a tab is from the picture on the button, press the right mouse button and hover over the box.
3. Click on the horizontal ruler in your document window in the position where you want to place the tab. A tab mark appears on the ruler.
4. Press the Tab key to advance to your new tab stop.

Set Tabs Using the Tabs Command in the Format Menu

5. Select the text to which you want to apply tabs.
6. Go to the Format menu and select Tabs.
7. Select the alignment you want for the tabs you are setting (left, right, center, and so on).
8. Enter a number in inches in the Tab Stop Position box.
9. Click the Set button to set the new tab stop.

Tips & Warnings

• Set the leader dots for the tabs if you are using the tabs for a table of contents or index and want leader dots between the item and the page number.

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