Tab stops control where text lines up when you press Tab in Word, which is how you build neat lists, price lists, forms and tables of contents without using a table. You can set as many tab stops on a line as you need, each with its own alignment and leader. This guide shows how to set multiple tabs with the ruler and the Tabs dialog, the five tab types, dot leaders, and how to clear or move tabs.
Quick Answer
Select the paragraphs, click the tab selector at the left end of the ruler until it shows the tab type you want, then click on the ruler at each position. Or open Home > Paragraph launcher > Tabs, type each position, choose alignment and leader, and click Set.
Show the Ruler
Go to View and check Ruler. The tab selector is the small box at the far left, where the horizontal and vertical rulers meet.
Method 1: Set Tabs With the Ruler
- Select the paragraphs that should share the tabs (tabs apply per paragraph).
- Click the tab selector to cycle through types: Left, Center, Right, Decimal and Bar.
- Click the ruler where you want each tab stop. Repeat for more stops, changing type as needed.
- Type text and press Tab to jump to each stop.
Drag a tab marker to move it. Hold Alt while dragging to see exact measurements.
Method 2: Set Exact Tabs With the Tabs Dialog
- Select the paragraphs.
- Click the small arrow at the bottom right of the Paragraph group, then Tabs at the bottom left of the dialog. (Double-clicking a tab marker on the ruler also opens it.)
- Type a position in Tab stop position, such as 1″.
- Choose an Alignment and a Leader, then click Set.
- Repeat for each tab stop, then click OK.
The Five Tab Types
| Type | How text aligns | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Text starts at the stop | Columns of words |
| Center | Text centers on the stop | Headings in columns |
| Right | Text ends at the stop | Page numbers, dates at the margin |
| Decimal | Decimal points line up | Prices and numbers |
| Bar | Draws a vertical line | Separating columns |
Add Dot Leaders
Leaders fill the space before a tab with dots, dashes or a line, like a table of contents or menu. In the Tabs dialog, set a Right tab at the right margin (for example 6.5″ on letter paper with 1-inch margins), choose leader 2 ……., click Set, then type an item, press Tab, and type the page number or price.
Change Default Tab Spacing
Without custom stops, Tab moves 0.5 inch at a time. Change Default tab stops in the Tabs dialog. To change it for all new documents, modify the Normal style’s paragraph tabs and choose New documents based on this template.
Clear Tabs
- Drag a tab marker down off the ruler.
- In the Tabs dialog, select a stop and click Clear, or Clear All.
Word for Mac
Choose Format > Tabs for the dialog, or click the ruler’s tab selector as on Windows.
Tips
- Turn on Home > Show/Hide ¶ to see tab characters as arrows.
- For complex layouts with wrapping text, a table without borders may be easier.
- Save tabbed formatting as a style to reuse it.
Can’t see the ruler to place your tab stops? Here’s how to show the ruler in Word.
Related: Add a right tab stop at the 6-inch mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t my tabs line up?
Different paragraphs have different tab stops, or you pressed Tab more than once. Select all the lines and set tabs together.
Can I use tabs in a table cell?
Press Ctrl + Tab to insert a tab inside a table cell.
Summary
- Show the ruler and pick a tab type with the tab selector.
- Click the ruler to add multiple stops, or use the Tabs dialog for exact positions.
- Use Right tabs with dot leaders for TOC-style lines.
- Drag stops off the ruler or use Clear All to remove them.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.