Applies ToWord for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac Word 2024 Word 2024 for Mac Word 2021 Word 2021 for Mac Word 2019 Word 2016

The space between tabs can show dots, dashes, or other “leader” characters to line up information.

Example of a dot leader in Word

Add tab leader characters

  1. Select Layout or Page Layout.

  2. Select the Paragraph dialog launcher Button image and then select Tabs.

  3. Add tab stop, in inches. 

  4. Select Alignment option. Default is set to left. 

  5. Select leader character option you want displayed under Leader.Tab Box Leader

  6. Click OK.

Now you can add entries and when you press Tab, a line will appear with the characters you choose. The formatting will be added to each new line until you change the leader. To change the formatting so no leader appears, follow these steps and choose none under Leader.

Note: You can have more than one kind of leader if you have multiple tabs. Select each tab in the Tab stop position box and select a different leader.

See also

Table of contents

Using the Ruler in Word

Use decimal tabs to line up numbers with decimal points

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