2 Ways To Set And Use Tab Stops In MS Word

A tab stop is a term used to describe the location of a computer and a typewriter. When it comes to the typewriter it is used to stop the carriage movement through the adjustable end stop. Similarly, when it comes to the computers it is used to set the insertion point in the document. You can easily and quickly type text in different alignments and align existing text only through the tab stops in a word document.

Launching Tab Stops Dialogue Box in Word:

Firstly, open word document and click Home tab
In the Paragraph group, click paragraph dialogue launcher to open its dialogue box.

Now click “Tab” to open its dialogue box.

Types of Tab Stops:

Tab stops are basically 5 types. These are Left tab, Center Tab, Right Tab, Decimal Tab and Bar Tab. And if you include indention, it becomes 7. These are First Line Indent and Hanging Indent.

1. Left tab:

Left Tab is used to align text to the left of the tab stop position.

2.Center Tab:

Center Tab is used to align text to the center of a document.

3. Right Tab:

Right Tab is used to align text to the right of the tab stop.

4. Decimal Tab:

Decimal Tab is used to align numbers at the decimal points.

5. Bar Tab:

Bar Tab is used to insert a vertical line/bar.

6. First Line Indent:

First line Indent is used to indent the first line of a paragraph.

7. Hanging Indent:

Hanging Indent is used to indent all except first line of a paragraph.

Setting Left, Center, and Right Tabs:

The default left tab space between the tabs you press every time is 1/2 inch. You can set it manually to suit your need.

After opening the tab stops dialogue box, in the “Tabs” dialogue box, type the number (the number you enter in the tab stop position box will be measured in centimeters) between 1 and 15. For example, to set 3 and 6 cm tab stops, type 3 in the tab stop position box.

Select one of the tab stops (Left, Center, and Right) you want under “Alignment“.
Select one of the “Leaders” (for different straight lines before or after the text), then click “Set“.

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Again type 6 in the tab stop position box and select the same “Leader” style as above you set for 3.
Lastly, click “Set‘, then click “OK” to set the tab stops.

If you observe the ruler of the word document, 3 and 6 numbers marked with left tab as in the screenshot below.

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Now if you press the “Tab” key on the keyboard, the insertion point moves 3 cm distance from the left margin of the document. if you press the tab key again moves (another 3cms) 6 cm distance from the left margin as you set it. After that it moves with default spaces.

Working with Left Tab Stop:

Upon settings the left tab as explained in the “Setting Left, Center, and Right Tabs“, If you want to format the document as below, start typing the text → then press the “Tab” key → again type text → Press Tab key → And again type text, lastly press Enter to do the same.

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Working with Right Tab Stop:

Upon setting the right tab stop as explained in the “Setting Left, Center, and Right Tabs“, you can prepare the document easily as in the screenshot below.
To prepare the document as in the screenshot below, Press Tab key → start typing the text → press Enter → to do the same, again press the tab key → type the text → press Enter. Do this as many times as you want.

2 Ways to Set and Use Tab Stops in MS Word - 2022 4 — Right Tab Stop

Working with Center Tab Stop:

Upon setting the centre tab stop as explained in the “Setting Left, Center, and Right Tabs“, do the following.

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Setting Bar Tab Stop in Word:

A bar tab stop doesn’t align text, instead, it inserts a vertical line at the bar tab position. You may use it for inserting vertical lines between multiple columns.

Type the number (the number you enter in the tab stop position box will be measured in centimeters) between 1 and 15. For example, to set 3 and 6 cm tab stops, type 3 in the tab stop position box.

Select one of the “Bar” tabs stop you want under “Alignment” and click “Set“.
You can’t use Leaders here.
Again type 6 in the tab stop position box and select the same.
Lastly, click “Set“, then click OK to set the tab stop.
If you observe the ruler of the word document, 3 and 6 numbers marked with bar tab.

Now if you press the “Tab” key on the keyboard, the insertion point moves 3 cm distance from the left margin and inserts a vertical line at the tab position. if you press the tab key again moves (another 3cms) 6 cm distance from the left margin and inserts vertical line at the tab position as you set it.

Working with Bar Tab in Word:

Setting and Working with Decimal Tab Stop:

Type the number (the number you enter in the tab stop position box will be measured in centimeters) between 1 and 15. For example, to set 3 and 6 cm tab stops, type 3 in the tab stop position box.
Select one of the “Bar” tabs stop you want under “Alignment“.
You can’t use Leaders here.
Again type 6 in the tab stop position box and select the same “Leader” style as above you set for 3.
Lastly, click OK to set the tab stop.
If you observe the ruler of the word document, 3 and 6 numbers marked with left tab as in the screenshot below.
Now if you press the “Tab” key on the keyboard, the insertion point moves 3 cm distance from the left margin of the document. if you press the tab key again moves (another 3cms) 6 cm distance from the left margin as you set it. After that it moves with default spaces.

FAQ:

What is a Tab Stop in Microsoft Word and Typewriter?

What is the default space between the tab stops?