COMPUTER3L15: Tabs and Columns
OBJECTIVES
❖ Define the functions of the Tab key
❖ Describe the characteristic and types of tabs stops
❖ Know ways how to organize text in tabular form and documents in newspaper-style columns
LESSON PREREQUISITE
None
LESSON PROPER
Tabs and Columns
Tabs and Columns are formatting options that allow you create tabulated data and newspaper style columns. These formatting options can make document more readable and easier to understand.
Adding Tabs
Tab is the amount of space that will be created when the Tab Key is pressed. The amount of space that is created is based on the position of the tab stop.
Tab Stop is the place where the insertion point will move to when the Tab key is pressed. Tabs are used to create custom spacing and line up columns of data.
Setting Tab Stops
There are four types of Tab Stops. Each type of tab stop is identified by a specific marker that will appear on the horizontal ruler.
-Left
-Center
-Right
-Decimal
To set the Tab Stops and Leader Character
1. Double-click the horizontal ruler. This action will open the Paragraph box. 2. On the Paragraph Box, click the Tabs page.
3. On the Tabs page, set the Tab Stops under Position by indicating the value in inches.
4. Select an option under the Type options to set the type of Tab Stop.
5. Select an option under the Fill Character Options.
6. Click Ok to apply changes.
Using Columns
Column is a formatting option that is used to organize the document into newspaper style columns. It used to divide the document vertically and can make the document more readable especially if the width of the page is too wide.
To apply columns to the document on Layout Tab
1. Highlight the paragraphs.
2. On the Layout Tab, click on the Page Columns button.
3. Select an option from the list. To apply columns to the document on Page Style box
1. Highlight the paragraphs.
2. Right-click any part of the document area.
3. Choose the menu item "Page Style". This action will open the Page Style:Default Style box.
4. On the Page Style: Default Style box, click on “Columns”.
5. Select the following options on the Columns Tab:
• Settings
• Width and Spacing
• Separator Line
6. Click OK to apply the changes.