Set tab stops

You can use tab stops to align text. When you press the Tab key (or Option-Tab when you’re working in a table cell), the insertion point and any text to the right of it move to the next tab stop, and text you enter starts at that point.

You can set the alignment of tab stops, change the symbol used for decimal-aligned tab stops, and add a leader line (such as a dotted line) between items separated by tab stops.

Set tab stops on the ruler

  1. Click the paragraph you want to format, or select multiple paragraphs.

  2. On the ruler, click where you want to place a tab stop.

    If you don’t see the ruler at the top of the document, click View menu button in the toolbar, then choose Show Ruler.

    The ruler with markers for left and right paragraph margins, first line indentation, and tabs for left, center, decimal, and right alignment

  3. Do any of the following:

    • Change the tab alignment: Control-click the tab stop icon, then choose the alignment you want (Left Tab, Center Tab, Right Tab, or Decimal Tab).

    • Change the position of the tab: Drag the tab stop icon along the ruler.

    • Remove the tab: Drag the tab stop icon below the ruler until it disappears.

You can also set tab stops, add leader lines, and change the symbol used for decimal-aligned tab stops using the controls in the Format sidebar on the right.

Add, delete, and format tab stops

  1. Select the paragraphs where you want to format tab stops.

  2. Click the Layout button near the top of the sidebar on the right.

    If you don’t see a sidebar, or the sidebar doesn’t have a Layout button, click Format button in the toolbar. If the text is in a text box, table, or shape, first click the Text tab at the top of the sidebar, then click the Layout button.

  3. Click the disclosure triangle next to Tabs, then click the Add Tab Stop button (+) at the bottom of the tab stops table.

    A left-aligned tab is added to the table.

    Controls for setting tab stops

  4. Do any of the following:

    • Change the alignment: Click the arrows in the Alignment column and choose Left, Center, Right, or Decimal.

    • Add a leader line: Click the arrows in the Leader column to connect items separated by tabs. You can choose a solid line, dots, dashes, or arrows.

    • Set the default tab spacing: Click the arrows next to the Default Spacing box. If you don’t want to use the default spacing for a tab, double-click its number in the Stops column and enter a different value.

    • Set the symbol for decimal-aligned tabs: Enter the symbol in the Decimal Character box. You can find currency and other symbols in the Characters window. To open it, choose Edit > Special Characters (from the Edit menu at the top of your screen).

To remove a tab, select it in the tab stops table, then click the delete button (–) at the bottom of the list.

See also
Set paper size and margins
Adjust character spacing