No Character-Aligned Tab in Word For Windows

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a

SYMPTOMS

In Word for Windows, you cannot tab align text based on a specific character.

CAUSE

Word for Windows does not provide an option for you to designate a specific character on which to align text.

STATUS

We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

 RAID #1113, active

WORKAROUNDS

Method 1: To create an aligned list such as the following, you can use a

          table.

             Aligned on "m"     Aligned on "&"     Aligned on "2"
             --------------     --------------     --------------

                 James             *%$&^@@            345.24
                  Smith             ##&                   2,000
                 Jim                  &***^           .0032

          Using the above example, you will need to type a portion of each
          word in a right-aligned cell and the remaining portion in a left-
          aligned cell.

          To create this example:

          a. Insert a table with six columns--two for each desired column
             of text--and 3 rows.

          b. Set the paragraph alignment to right justified for the first,
             third, and fifth columns of the table.

          c. Set the paragraph alignment to left justified for the second,
             fourth, and sixth columns.

          d. Select the table and choose the Column Width command from the
             Table menu. Set the Space Between Columns to "0" (zero)
             inches.

          e. In the first column, type the words in each row, up to the
             character that is to serve as the alignment character. For
             example, in the first column text is aligned on the letter
             "m" so your table cells should look like this:

                  -----------------
                  |    Jam|
                  |     Sm|
                  |    Jim|
                  -----------------

          f. In the second column, type the remainder of the words in each
             row so that the cells look like this:

                 -------------
                     |es
                     |ith
                     |
                 -------------

          g. Repeat steps e and f for each additional column of
             information.

           NOTE: Moving the column boundaries of the table moves the
          "printed columns" position across the document.

          inches from the left margin and on the character "m".

          a. From the Format menu, choose Tabs to set a tab stop at 4
             inches, with Right Alignment selected. Set an additional tab
             stop at 4.02 inches, with Left Alignment selected. (Note that
             .02 inches is the minimum usable tab-stop separation.)

          b. Assuming that "Smith" is the only text on the first line,
             press TAB, which moves the insertion point to 4 inches.

             NOTE: If there is text on this line preceding the word that
             needs to be aligned, type that text first before pressing TAB
             to move to the first alignment position.

          c. Type "Sm", which extends to the left of the 4-inch right-
             aligned tab stop.

          d. Press TAB; type "ith", which extends to the right of the 4.02-
             inch left-aligned tab stop.

          e. Repeat steps c and d for each additional name you want to
             align.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 319-341