How to Set Up Tabs in Word
You can set up tabs to align text within Microsoft Word. Once the tabs are set, simply press the "Tab" key on your keyboard instead of the space bar to line up words throughout the document. Tabs can be set to align content on the left, right, center or at a specific point on your page. You don't have to manually add dashes, periods or lines to words that are aligned. By setting leaders, you can put your tabs to work. Word's tabs are available on the horizontal ruler and the "Format" menu.
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Instructions
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Setting Up Tabs: Option One
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1
Open the document you want to format in Word. If the ruler is not visible, click "View" and "Ruler."
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2
Place your cursor on the line where the tabs will be used or select the text on your page if it spreads across multiple lines.
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3
Set tabs for the line or text by clicking on the horizontal ruler in the area you'd like the tabs set. A tab mark will appear on the ruler. Set multiple tabs by repeating this step. To switch your tab to a different alignment (left or right), click on the left-most button just outside the horizontal ruler. The alignment will change each time you click the button.
Setting Up Tabs: Option Two
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4
Select the line or text on your page where the tabs will be set.
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5
Click on "Format" and "Tabs." If the "Tabs" option isn't visible, click on the "Expand" arrow to show all commands in the "Format" menu. The "Tabs" dialog box will open.
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6
Select the tab stop position or type it in. Use the default (0.5") tab stop or change it. Choose your preferred alignment for the selected tab---left, right, center, decimal or bar.
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7
Pick your leader options---none, dotted, dashed or lined. Then click on "Set" and "OK."
Clearing Set Tabs
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8
Clear any tabs you don't need by clicking on the line where the tab appears or selecting the text on your page.
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Open the "Tabs" dialog box (see step two of "Setting Up Tabs: Option Two").
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Select the tab you want to clear in the "Tab stop position." Then click on "Clear" and "OK." To clear all tab settings for the selected line or text, choose the "Clear All" button instead. Then press "OK."
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