Microsoft KB Archive/118319

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No Character-Aligned Tab in Word for Windows

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Q118319

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a

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SYMPTOMS
In Word for Windows, you cannot tab-align text based on a specific character.

CAUSE
Word for Windows does not provide an option for you to designate a specific character on which to align text.

Method 1: Use a Table
To create an aligned list such as the following, you can use a table.

            Aligned on "m"     Aligned on "&"     Aligned on "2" --    --     --

James            *%$&^@@            345.24 Smith            ##&                   2,000 Jim                 &***^           .0032

Using this example, you need to type a portion of each word in a right-aligned cell and the remaining portion in a left-aligned cell.

To do this, follow these steps:

 Insert a table with six columns--two for each column of text that you want--and three rows. Set the paragraph alignment to right justified for the first, third, and fifth columns of the table. Set the paragraph alignment to left justified for the second, fourth, and sixth columns. Select the table and choose the Column Width command from the Table menu. Set the Space Between Columns to "0" (zero) inches.  In the first column, type the words in each row, up to the character that is to serve as the alignment character. For example, in the first column text is aligned on the letter "m" so your table cells should look like this:

                 - |   Jam| |    Sm| |   Jim| -   In the second column, type the remainder of the words in each row so that the cells look like this:                 - |es |ith |                -  Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each additional column of information.

NOTE: Moving the column boundaries of the table moves the "printed columns" position across the document.</li></ol>

Method 2: Method to Align Text a Certain Number of Inches from the Margin
In the previous example, assume that you want to align the text 4 inches from the left margin and on the character "m".


 * 1) From the Format menu, choose Tabs to set a tab stop at 4 inches, with Right Alignment selected. Set an additional tab stop at 4.02 inches, with Left Alignment selected. (Note that .02 inches is the minimum usable tab-stop separation.)
 * 2) Assuming that "Smith" is the only text on the first line, press TAB, which moves the insertion point to 4 inches.

NOTE: If there is text on this line preceding the word that needs to be aligned, type that text first before pressing TAB to move to the first alignment position.
 * 1) Type "Sm", which extends to the left of the 4-inch right- aligned tab stop.
 * 2) Press TAB; type "ith", which extends to the right of the 4.02- inch left-aligned tab stop.
 * 3) Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each additional name you want to align.