# Why You Should Be Using Tab Stops in Your Document

> A common way to align paragraphs is to use spaces instead of tabs. This article explains why this should be avoided and how to insert tabs in your document.

- **Author:** Malin Teegen
- **Published:** 2020-08-20
- **Modified:** 2025-11-16
- **Description:** A common way to align paragraphs is to use spaces instead of tabs. This article explains why this should be avoided and how to insert tabs in your document.
- **2 min read** (388 words)
- **Tags:**
  - MS Word
  - Tab positions
  - Tab stop
  - Tab types
  - Windows Forms
  - Word Processing
- **Web URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2020/08/20/why-you-should-be-using-tab-stops-in-your-document/
- **LLMs URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2020/08/20/why-you-should-be-using-tab-stops-in-your-document/llms.txt
- **LLMs-Full URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2020/08/20/why-you-should-be-using-tab-stops-in-your-document/llms-full.txt

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### Problem Description

Imagine a document where you want to align paragraphs below each other, for example when listing items:

![Using spaces](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2020/08/20/a/assets/using_spaces.webp "Using spaces")

A possible approach would be to use spaces, to set the distance between the name of the series and the family member. However, you would have to estimate the number of spaces needed depending on the length of the word.

Additionally, a character can take up a different amount of space depending on the used font. Check out the example below:

Netflix written in Times New Roman

Netflix written in Courier New

The letter "i" is taking up more space when using *Courier New*. The distance between the letters is also differing between the fonts (for more information please see this [link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monospaced_font)). Besides, this approach is high maintenance, because when you edit the list you have to adjust the number of spaces.

### Alternative Solution

A better approach would be to use tab stops instead of spaces:

![Using tab stops](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2020/08/20/a/assets/using_tabstops.webp "Using tab stops")

Tab stops originate from tables, in which you have different columns. The TAB key on your keyboard aligns the text to a specific tab stop. A tab stop is a horizontal position, that can be seen on the ruler bar. You can add and remove tab stops via the ruler bar or using the tabs dialog.

The tabs dialog can be reached via the ribbon *Home* tab:

![Reaching tabs dialog](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2020/08/20/a/assets/tabposition_button.webp "Reaching tabs dialog")

There are five different types of tab stops:

1. Left tab
2. Right tab
3. Centered tab
4. Decimal tab
5. Right tab at the right most position

The left tab stop is the one that you are probably most familiar with. Using this tab stop, the text flows from the left to the right, similar to the direction indicated by the symbol on the tab type button.

The tab type button is located here:

![Location of tab type button](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2020/08/20/a/assets/tabtype_button.webp "Location of tab type button")

Using this button, you can choose between different tab stop types.

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## About Malin Teegen

Malin Teegen is Head of Strategic Accounts and Marketing at Text Control in Bremen, Germany. She specializes in business development and the strategic expansion of customer relationships in the field of digital document processing. With a master's degree in marine biology from the University of Bremen and a certification in online marketing from Hamburg Media School, she combines analytical thinking with entrepreneurial vision. Her diverse experience in sales, online marketing, and digital journalism highlights her commitment to digital transformation and sustainable growth.

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/malin-teegen-32ba91255/)