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MS Word 2016 Indents and Tabs

This document discusses how to use indents and tabs in Microsoft Word 2016 to structure documents. It describes inserting first-line indents using the Tab key or indent markers on the ruler. It also explains how to add and remove tab stops to control text placement and hanging indents. The document provides steps for indenting and tabbing text in a sample cover letter and resume.

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Eevan Gell Osillos
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106 views8 pages

MS Word 2016 Indents and Tabs

This document discusses how to use indents and tabs in Microsoft Word 2016 to structure documents. It describes inserting first-line indents using the Tab key or indent markers on the ruler. It also explains how to add and remove tab stops to control text placement and hanging indents. The document provides steps for indenting and tabbing text in a sample cover letter and resume.

Uploaded by

Eevan Gell Osillos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MS Word 2016

Indents and Tabs


Indenting text adds structure to your document by allowing you to separate
information. Whether you'd like to move a single line or an entire paragraph, you can use
the tab selector and the horizontal ruler to set tabs and indents.
Indenting text
In many types of documents, you may want to indent only the first line of each
paragraph. This helps to visually separate paragraphs from one another.

It's also possible to indent every line except for the first line, which is known as a
hanging indent.

To indent using the Tab key


A quick way to indent is to use the Tab key. This will create a first-line indent of 1/2
inch.
1. Place the insertion point at the very beginning of the paragraph you want to indent.

2. Press the Tab key. On the Ruler, you should see the first-line indent marker move
to the right by 1/2 inch.
2

3. The first line of the paragraph will be indented.

If you can't see the Ruler, select the View tab, then click the check box next to the
Ruler.

Indent markers
In some cases, you may want to have more control over indents. Word provides
indent markers that allow you to indent paragraphs to the location you want.

The indent markers are located to the left of the horizontal ruler, and they provide
several indenting options:

 First-line indent marker adjusts the first-line indent

 Hanging indent marker adjusts the hanging indent

 Left indent marker moves both the first-line indent and hanging indent markers
at the same time (this will indent all lines in a paragraph)
To indent using the indent markers
1. Place the insertion point anywhere in the paragraph you want to indent, or select
one or more paragraphs.

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs


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2. Click and drag the desired indent marker. In our example, we'll click and drag the
left indent marker.

3. Release the mouse. The paragraphs will be indented.

To indent using the Indent commands


If you want to indent multiple lines of text or all lines of a paragraph, you can use the
Indent commands. The Indent commands will adjust the indent by 1/2-inch increments.
1. Select the text you want to indent.

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs


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2. On the Home tab, click the Increase Indent or Decrease Indent command.

3. The text will indent.

To customize the indent amounts, select the Layout tab near the desired values in
the boxes under Indent.

Tabs
Using tabs gives you more control over the placement of text. By default, every time
you press the Tab key, the insertion point will move 1/2 inch to the right. Adding tab stops
to the Ruler allows you to change the size of the tabs, and Word even allows you to apply
more than one tab stop to a single line. For example, on a resume you could left-align the
beginning of a line and right-align the end of the line by adding a Right Tab, as shown in
the image below.

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs


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Pressing the Tab key can either add a tab or create a first-line indent, depending on
where the insertion point is. Generally, if the insertion point is at the beginning of an
existing paragraph, it will create a first-line indent; otherwise, it will create a tab.
The tab selector
The tab selector is located above the vertical ruler on the left. Hover the mouse
over the tab selector to see the name of the active tab stop.

Types of tab stops:

 Left Tab  left-aligns the text at the tab stop.

 Center Tab   centers the text around the tab stop.

 Right Tab   right-aligns the text at the tab stop.

 Decimal Tab   aligns decimal numbers using the decimal point.

 Bar Tab   draws a vertical line on the document.

 First Line Indent   inserts the indent marker on the Ruler and indents the first
line of text in a paragraph.

 Hanging Indent   inserts the hanging indent marker and indents all lines other
than the first line.
Although Bar Tab, First Line Indent, and Hanging Indent appear on the tab
selector, they're not technically tabs.
To add tab stops
1. Select the paragraph or paragraphs you want to add tab stops to. If you don't select
any paragraphs, the tab stops will apply to the current paragraph and any new
paragraphs you type below it.

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs


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2. Click the tab selector until the tab stop you want to use appears. In our example,
we'll select Right Tab.

3. Click the location on the horizontal ruler where you want your text to appear (it
helps to click on the bottom edge of the Ruler). You can add as many tab stops as
you want.

4. Place the insertion point in front of the text you want to tab, then press the Tab
key. The text will jump to the next tab stop. In our example, we will move each date
range to the tab stop we created.

Removing tab stops


It's a good idea to remove any tab stops you aren't using so they don't get in the way.
To remove a tab stop, first select all of the text that uses the tab stop. Then click and drag
it off of the Ruler.

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs


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Word can also display hidden formatting symbols such as spaces ( ), paragraph
marks ( ), and tabs ( ) to help you see the formatting in your document. To show hidden
formatting symbols, select the Home tab, then click the Show/Hide command. 

Challenge!
1. Open the practice document.
2. Use the Tab key to indent the beginning of each paragraph in the body of the cover
letter. These start with I am exceedingly interested, While working toward, and
Enclosed is a copy.
3. When you're finished, the first page should look like this:

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs


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4. Scroll to page 2.
5. Select all of the text below Training & Education on page 2.
6. Place a right tab at the 6" (15.25 cm) mark.
7. Insert your cursor before each date range, then press the Tab key. These dates
include 2008, 1997-2001, and 1995-1997.
8. Select each job description under the Experience section and move the Left Indent
to the 0.25" (50 mm) mark.
9. When you're finished, page 2 should look something like this:

Lesson 7: MS Word 2016_Indents & Tabs

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