You can set the following types of tab stops:
Tab stop | Description |
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| A Left Tab stop sets the start position of text that will then run to the right as you type. |
| A Center Tab stop sets the position of the middle of the text. The text centers on this position as you type. |
| A Right Tab stop sets the right end of the text. As you type, the text moves to the left. |
 | A Decimal Tab stop aligns numbers around a decimal point. Independent of the number of digits, the decimal point will be in the same position. (You can align numbers around a decimal character only; you cannot use the decimal tab to align numbers around a different character, such as a hyphen or an ampersand symbol.) |
 | A Bar Tab stop doesn't position text. It inserts a vertical bar at the tab position. |
Do any of the following:
 | Set a tab stop using the ruler |
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On the View menu, click Print Layout.
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Select the text in which you want to set a tab stop.
 | Tip To set a tab for an entire document, select all text. The keyboard shortcut is
⌘+A. |
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On the View menu, make sure there's a check mark next to Ruler.
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Click the tab selector at the left end of the ruler, and then click the type of tab that you want.
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Click the bottom border of the ruler where you want to set the tab stop.
 | Set a tab stop by using the dialog box |
If you want your tab stops at precise positions that you can't get by clicking the ruler, or if you want to insert a specific character (leader) before the tab, you can use the Tabs dialog box.
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On the View menu, click Print Layout.
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On the View menu, make sure there's a check mark next to Ruler.
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At the far left of the horizontal ruler, click
, and then click Tabs.
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Under Tab stop position, type the location where you want to set the tab stop.
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Under Alignment, click the type of tab stop that you want.
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To add dots with your tab stop, or to add another type of leader, under Leader click the type of leader that you want.
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Click Set.
 | Remove a tab stop |
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On the View menu, click Print Layout.
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Select the text from which you want to remove a tab stop.
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On the View menu, make sure there's a check mark next to Ruler.
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Drag the tab marker off the ruler.