Positioning Tabs

Positioning Tabs

Positioning Tabs

You can add tabs as well as adjust margins and indents in the document ruler while a text object is selected or you are in Text Edit mode. To indicate a selected a text object or Text Edit mode, the ruler turns light blue. Margin icons and preset tabs appear as well.

The document ruler shows tab positions for one selected object. You cannot set tabs for multiple selected text objects.

A new text object has tab stops at half-inch intervals beginning at the left border of the text object. You can move the insertion point to each of these tab positions by pressing the Tab key. In addition, you can edit a default tab by double-clicking it on the ruler.

When a text object is selected and the rulers are displayed, you can see the margins and tabs. The area within the margins turns a light blue.

Tabs can be moved within the ruler. Place the cursor on the tab. The cursor changes to , which indicates that you can move the tab in either direction.

To Set Tabs:

Setting a tab moves the default tab stops to the right.

To Reposition a Set Tab:

Drag the tab marker to a new position.

You have two ways to set a tab position:

  • Select a tab definition from the Tab menu in the Properties bar and click in the ruler. A new tab applies to selected text objects, the current paragraph, or all highlighted paragraphs.
  • Select a tab definition from the Tab menu in the Properties bar and click in the ruler. A new tab applies to selected text objects, the current paragraph, or all highlighted paragraphs.

Tab Menu

  • Left: The left edge of the text is flush with the tab position.
  • Center: Text is centered around the tab position.
  • Right: The right edge of text is flush with the tab position.
  • Decimal: The first decimal (or period) in a string of text aligns directly under the tab position; e.g., if you align “123.45.678” to a decimal tab, the decimal between the “3” and “4” will fall under the tab position.
  • Comma: The first comma in a string of text aligns directly under the tab position.

To Edit a Defined Tab:

  1. Double-click on the defined tab in the ruler.
  2. In the Tab dialog box, define the tab using the Type, Position, and Leader controls.
  3. Click OK.
    • Position: Specify the distance between the tab and the left border of the text object.
    • Type: Change the alignment setting of a tab by choosing one of these options.
    • Leader Character: Use a character to fill tabbed space. To adjust the spacing of the leader character, use kerning options. To specify a leader character, type a character in the text box.

Setting Indents

Set the right and left indents of a selected text object by dragging the Right and Left Indent markers in the ruler.

  • To indent the first line of a paragraph: Drag the First Indent marker to the desired position in the ruler.
  • To set the distance between the left border of a text object and the left margin of a paragraph: Drag the Left Indent marker.
  • To set the distance between the right border of a text object and the right edge of a paragraph: Drag the Right Indent marker.

To Delete a Defined Tab:

  1. Double-click on the defined tab in the ruler.
  2. In the Tab dialog box, click the Delete button.
  3. Then click OK.

You can also select the tab in the ruler and drag it off the ruler either up, down, left, or right.

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