Using Dot Leaders in a Paragraph

Summary: Adding dot leaders to your text is easy through the application of tab stops. This tip explains the steps you need to follow to add those dot leaders to your paragraphs. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007.)

Dot leaders are dots (which look like periods) that appear to the left of information. Dot leaders are often used in tables of contents or in some tabular material. Word allows you to automatically place dot leaders in tabular material. Simply follow these steps:

Make sure the insertion point is in the paragraph in which you want the dot leaders.
Choose the Tabs option from the Format menu. You will see the Tabs dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.) (To display the dialog box in Word 2007, start by displaying the Home tab of the ribbon. Click the small icon at the lower-right of the Paragraph group to display the Paragraph dialog box, then click Tabs.)
Either select an existing tab stop location, or enter a tab stop measurement in the Tab Stop Position box.
Make sure the Alignment type is set as desired.
In the Leader area, click on the second option, which looks like a line of periods or dots.
Click on Set.
Click on OK.

Tip #618 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

Add a Professional Finishing Touch! Word includes great tools that allow you to add professional-grade finishing touches to your documents. You can add indexes, tables of contents, and other special tables by using the detailed information available in this volume.

Check out WordTips: Indexes and Special Tables today!

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Using Dot Leaders in a Paragraph