Using Leaders with Tab Stops

Summary: Tab stops allow you to modify the horizontal position at which text is positioned on a line. Word allows you to preface the tabbed position of your text with a "leader character" of your choosing. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007.)

You probably already know how to insert tab stops in a paragraph. Word allows you to control what characters are inserted in the otherwise blank area created by the tab. These characters are called leaders, and are controlled with the Tabs command from the Format menu. Leaders are often used with right-aligned tabs or decimal tabs, particularly when the text column is quite wide and the tab will cover a wide area. To use leaders with tab stops, follow these steps:

Position the insertion point in the paragraph whose tabs you wish to set or alter.
Display the Tabs dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.) In Word 2007, display the Home tab of the ribbon, click the small icon at the bottom-right of the Paragraph group, and then click the Tabs button. In previous versions of Word select the Tabs option from the Format menu.
Enter a tab stop measurement and alignment. (You can also select the measurement of an existing tab stop, if desired.)
Select a leader from the four choices offered.
Click on Set.
Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each tab stop you want to set.
Click on OK.

Tip #1034 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Using Leaders with Tab Stops