FORMAT
=> TABS
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Business Computing Tips
By K&K Fainges kfainges@bigpond.net.au
Tabs allow you to place your text wherever you want it. Just like the old
tab markers on a typewriter, you can 'set' the tab just where you want them to
make sure each line of your writing exactly lines up with the ones above it.
The most often used Tab is the paragraph tab, those first few spaces before
each new paragraph. You can used the default one set by Word and just hit the
tab key on your keyboard, or you can place your tabs by single clicking in the
ruler where you want them to be. If you can't see a ruler at the top of the
page, go up to VIEW => RULER and click to put a tick beside the word
ruler.
You can place as many tabs as you want to make columns or tables, but I strongly
recommend not using tabs for this. The reason is that if the reader
opens it in anything but your version of word, it looks like complete gobbledy
gook. Use a table instead and just take out all the borders. It looks just the
same, is easier, and stays put in other formats.
If you do want to use them though, using FORMAT => TABS, allows you to
be precise. You can get to the same dialogue box (the bit that pops up when
you click on FORMAT => TABS, by clicking on the rule to make a tab, then
double clicking on the tab maker (a little L shape on the rule).
This area lets you be precise, typing in an exact distance, setting what
the alignment of text will be after that tab (letting you make a table where
text is down the left of the 'column' and numbers formatted to the right) and
whether there are dots or dashes leading up to the tab i.e.
.... adgti[ojho
You can also clear tabs. So if your writing starts going weird, this may be
one of the places to go to fix it.
Next week: more formatting.
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Please feel free to pass it on to your friends, just let them know I wrote
it.
Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of Vocational
and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14 years of having to
make sales or starve that makes her think she has really learnt what does and
doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping people get
started on the long road to technology.
"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
