| In your document, tabs set how text or numerical data aligns in relation to the document margins. A tab stop is a predefined stopping point along the document's typing line. Default tab stops are set every half-inch, but you can set multiple tabs per paragraph at any location. Choose from four text tab stops: left, right, center, and decimal (for numerical data). The bar tab inserts a vertical bar at the tab stop. You can use the Tab button on the horizontal ruler to switch between the available tabs. Create and Clear a Tab Stop -
| | Select one or more paragraphs in which you want to set a tab stop. | -
| | Click the Tab button on the horizontal ruler until it shows the type of tab stop you want. | -
| | Click the ruler where you want to set the tab stop. | -
If necessary, drag the tab stop to position it where you want. To display a numerical measurement in the ruler where the tab is placed, press and hold Alt as you drag. -
| | To clear a tab stop, drag it off the ruler. | Did You Know? You can display tab characters . If you don't see a tab character, that looks like an arrow when you press Tab, click the Show/Hide button on the Standard toolbar. | Tab Stops | Tab Stop | Purpose | | | Aligns text to the left of the tab stop | | | Aligns text to the right of the tab stop | | | Centers text on the tab stop | | | Aligns numbers on the decimal point | | | Inserts a vertical bar at the tab stop | | |