Open the Word document. If the rulers are not visible, click the "View Ruler" button at the top of the right scroll bar. A vertical and horizontal ruler will show.

Click the "Tab Selector" button above the left vertical ruler. Keep clicking the button to display the different symbols for the tab stops: Left Tab, Center Tab, Right Tab, Decimal Tab, Bar Tab, First Line Indent and Hanging Indent. These tab labels appear as you mouse over the Tab Selector button.

Click on the horizontal ruler above the document to set the tab position. For example, place the "Left Tab" stop at the "2" inch mark for a column of text that starts to the right of this tab.

Open the Word document.

Click the "Home" tab on the command ribbon.

Click the lower right arrow for the Paragraph dialog box launcher. The Paragraph dialog box opens.

Click the "Tabs" button in the lower left of the dialog box. The Tabs dialog box opens.

Type the value for the Tab stop position. For example, "1.5" to set the first tab stop.

Click the radio button to select the "Alignment," such as "Left" or "Decimal."

Click the radio button to select the "Leader" if needed. For example, a line of dots for a table of contents.

Click "Set."

Type another value and select other radio buttons on the Tabs dialog box to add an additional tab stop on the page.

Click "OK." The Tab" dialog box closes. The horizontal ruler displays the tab stops above the document.