Microsoft Word Decimal Tab

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When you enter some decimal numbers in a Microsoft Word table, the decimal points together with different length of numbers may look messy, and you can hardly tell which one of them is greater and which one is smaller at first glance. But if you can align the decimal points of numbers, all these problems will be solved.

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. Use the decimal tab in Word 2016 to line up columns of numbers. Although you can use a right tab for this job, the decimal tab is a better choice. Rather than right-align text, as the right tab does, the decimal tab aligns numbers by their decimal — the period in the number, as shown here. Using the decimal tab to line up numbers. Decimal tabs allow you to fix the point on the line at which the decimal will appear. When you hit the Tab key to go to a decimal tab, you start typing the number, and the cursor stays in place while the digits ahead of the decimal point (such as dollars) move leftward. Microsoft® Word 2019 Basic Quick Reference Guide The Word 2019 Program Screen Word Fundamentals Create a Blank Document: Click the File tab, select New, and click Blank document; or, press Ctrl + N. Open a Document: Click the File tab and select Open, or press Ctrl + O. Select a location with a file you want, then select a file and click Open.

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In this chapter, we will discuss how to set tabs in Word 2010. Microsoft Word tabs help in setting up information properly within a column. Word enables you to set left, center, right, decimal, or bar tabs to line up columnar information. By default, Word places tabs every .5 inch across the page between the left and right margins.

S.NoTab & Description
1

Left

Left-aligns text at tab stop and this is the default tab.

2

Center

Centers text over tab stop.

3

Right

Right-aligns text at tab stop.

4

Decimal

Aligns numbers at decimal point over tab stop.

5

Bar

Creates a bar to separate the text.

Setting a Tab

Following are the simple steps to set the center and the right tabs in a Word document. You can use similar steps but different tabs to set up decimal and bar tabs.

Step 1 − Type some text that you want to line up with the tab stops. Press the Tab key only once between each column of information you to want to line up. I typed the following three lines.

Step 2 − Select a tab type using the Tab button; assume the center tab and finally select the paragraph or paragraphs the tabs of which you want to set. Next click the ruler where you want the tab to appear, a tab will appear at the ruler where you just clicked and the selected portion of text will be adjusted in the center.

Step 3 − Now select the right tab using the Tab Button and click the ruler at the right side where you want to align the text at the right side. A right tab will appear at the ruler where you just clicked and the selected portion of text will be right-aligned.

Moving a Tab

You can move an already set tab at a particular location by following the steps given below.

Step 1 − Click just before the line for which you want to change the tab setting. Drag the tab sign available at the ruler to the left or right.

Step 2 − A vertical line marks its position as you drag and when you click and drag a tab, the text moves with the tab.


1. Open the saved Word table.
2. Click the “View Ruler” button at the top of the right vertical scroll bar to display the horizontal ruler and left ruler near the document.
3. Click the “Tab” selector at the top of the left ruler to bring up the “Decimal” tab. The “Decimal” tab symbol displays one horizontal line, one vertical line and a decimal on the right side. Usually, this “Decimal” symbol appears on the third click.

Microsoft Word Decimal Tab

4. Click and drag the cursor on the column that will contain the decimal tab stop. This column will appear highlighted.
Microsoft word table decimal alignment5. Click the horizontal ruler where you wish to insert the decimal tab stop. A dashed vertical line will temporarily appear where you clicked.

Ms Word Table Decimal

6. Click in the cell. A vertical bar will indicate where the decimal will line up.
7. Type the number with the decimal point. Continue typing numbers in the column. The decimal points will line up vertically.

Microsoft Word Table Decimal Alignment