
Here, you can set a tab stop by using specific measurements, and you can add leaders before a tab stop. You can't use the decimal tab to align numbers around a different character, such as a hyphen or an ampersand symbol.)ĭouble-click the horizontal ruler where you want the tab stop, and the Tabs dialog box opens. In the Tabs dialog, type the measurement that you want under Tab stops. (You can align numbers around a decimal character only.

With tab stops in place, pressing the Tab key (or Option-Tab in a.

Independent of the number of digits, the decimal point remains in the same position. You can set tab stops to align text left, right, at the center, or on a decimal point. As you type, the text moves to the left.Ī decimal tab stop aligns numbers around a decimal point. The text centers on this position as you type.Ī right tab stop sets the right end of the text. When the tab stop that you want appears, click the location on the ruler where you want to place the tab stop.Ī left tab stop sets the start position of text that will run to the right as you type.Ī center tab stop sets the position at the middle of the text. Any text you then type aligns itself to the tab stop using the alignment of the associated tab stop type.

To use the tab stops you created in Word, press the Tab key on your keyboard to indent the line to the tab stop you inserted.
#Microsoft word set tab stops how to#
You can find all the tab stop types by clicking the tab selector in the corner between the horizontal and vertical rulers. Instructions on How to Use Tab Stops in Word.
