Setting tab stops

You can set manual tab stops using the ruler. E.g., the left tab stop sets the start position of text that will run to the right as you type. By pressing the Tab key, the text cursor moves to the position of the next tab stop.

In addition to left tab stops, you have access to right, center, and decimal tabs. Tab leaders are also available, e.g. dotted line between headings and page numbers in a table of contents.

Note:

HTML does not support tabs. This means you should avoid them if you want to produce HTML output, e.g. web pages or in an email body.

You can add new tab stops or edit the existing ones using the following methods:

 

•	Using the ruler.

•	Editing the Tabs dialog.

•	Editing the Tabs property in the Properties panel.

To set tab stops

1	Enter text mode, that is a text insertion pointer is visible.

2	Click the button to the left of the horizontal ruler until the appropriate tab symbol is displayed.

3	Click in the horizontal ruler on the positions where you want the tab stops.

Note:

If snap to grid is active, you can only set tab stops on the grid markers.

Decimal tab

The decimal tab lets you align the decimal fraction separator. This separator is a dot or a comma depending on the locale setting of the number. The locale can be different for each number to align, since you can specify a language code for each fraction separator character.

To edit the Tabs dialog

1	Click in the paragraph where you want to edit tab stops.

2	In the Properties panel, Paragraph style category, click in the Tabs field.

3	Click the browse button.

4	Enter the indent, alignment and optionally add a leader character.

 

You can also open the Tabs dialog by double-clicking an existing tab stop in the ruler.