All about tabs...

Tab basics
In the days of the typewriter (before computer word processors), we used "fonts" that were monospaced — each character and space took up the same amount of space. (That's why we always were taught to space twice after a period!) Now that we generate our typing with computers, most of the fonts that we use are proportional spaced fonts; that is, each character takes only the amount of space that it needs. (Single space after those periods now!!)

Use tabs to align text perfectly!
With monospaced fonts we could use the space bar to line up words evenly. (In the "olden days" we counted characters in order to center text!) When we try that with proportional spaced fonts, we often end up with undesired results (even if it looks good on the screen!). If you wish to align text in columns, always use the tab key! The space-bar should never be used to align text -- it might look nice on the screen, but will never print as you expect it to, plus, making changes later can be very challenging.

Tabs come in five flavors!
LEFT		The left tab is similar to the typewriter tab of the "olden" days. Text will begin at the tab position and continue to the right of the tab.
RIGHT		With the right tab, text will end at the tab and flow to the left.
CENTER		The center tab works similar to centering a line of text but instead of centering between margins, text is centered at the tab location.
DECIMAL		The decimal tab is used to line up numbers and text with a period, or any character you specify. Line up on the "=" for Geometry proofs!
BAR		The bar tab places a "pipe" or vertical bar at the tab stop location.

Setting tabs:
If you do nothing, Microsoft Word has default settings -- "invisible" tabs -- that exist on the ruler every .5". So, each time you press or type the TAB key, your cursor moves about a half inch to the right. You should learn to set custom tabs if you are pressing the tab key more than twice! You will have much greater control over the text, and changes to font styles and sizes, or moving documents to other systems that may not have the same fonts, will most likely preserve the layout and look of your document.

When you set a custom tab, it will apply to all the text within a paragraph the cursor is "active in" — and will remain on the ruler as new paragraphs are added, until the tab is removed. (A paragraph is defined as something that ends by pressing the RETURN key. It could be a single line or multiple lines in a "traditional" paragraph.)

2. The Left tab is the default choice and is ready for placement on the ruler. If you don't want a Left tab, click the icon to the left of the ruler to select the Center , Right , Decimal or Bar tabs.

3. Once your "tab flavor" is selected, simply click on the ruler where you want the tab stop.
Tip! If the tab didn't end up at exactly the right spot, click and drag it to a new position on the ruler.

Tabs can also be set using a menu command (Format -> Tabs):

Enter the desired stop position, alignment choice and leader; then click the "Set" button for each tab.

TO REMOVE TAB SETTINGS:
1. Position cursor in the desired paragraph, OR select the paragraph(s) you want the tabs removed.

2. Drag the unwanted tab off the Ruler. Click to release. 

Or, return to the Format > Tabs menu, select the tab to delete and click the "Clear" button.

Leader Tabs
Leader tabs fill in characters (dots, dashes, underscores, etc.) from the cursor to the tab stop location. They can be used to create a table of contents, programs booklets or professional looking write-in forms. The Format >Tabs menu lets you set precise measurements with dotted, dashed, or solid line "leaders" for tab stops. (This is called a Leader Tab because the line leads the tab, in this case with a dotted line.) Once the tab stop is set, and you press the tab key, a dotted line will be drawn from the cursor position to the tab stop position.

For example, the following settings produce a right aligned tab with a dot leader for chapter page numbers:

Leader tabs are great for Student Name and Date lines on the top of tests, or for creating "write-in" forms:

Indenting means to move text for an entire paragraph away from the margins.
There are different types of indents.

1. Select the paragraph(s) you want indented.
2. Left indent: Drag the rectangle beneath the hourglass to the position you want the left indent.
   Right indent: Drag the triangle on the right of the ruler to the position you want the right indent.
   First-Line indent: Drag the top triangle on the hourglass to the position you want the 1st line indent.
   Hanging indent: Drag the bottom triangle on the hourglass from the left end of the Ruler toward the right.
3. Return the appropriate indent marker to the left margin when you want indent to end.

How would you set the tabs and indents below? Draw the correct tab and indents on the ruler!

Click here for the solution!

Revised: 09/23/2006

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