Apple Numbers '09 - Manual (Page 178)

Setting Tab Stops to Align Text
You can align text at specific points by setting tab stops. When you press the Tab key
(or Option-Tab when you’re working in a table cell), the insertion point (and any text
to the right of it) moves to the next tab stop, and text you type starts at that point. You
can use the symbols on the horizontal ruler or the Text inspector to manage tab stops.
To learn how to Go to
Add a new tab stop “Setting a New Tab Stop” on page 178
Change the location and type of tab stops “Changing a Tab Stop” on page 179
Remove a tab stop “Deleting a Tab Stop” on page 179
Adjust ruler preferences “Changing Ruler Settings” on page 179
Setting a New Tab Stop
You can use the horizontal ruler to add a new tab stop.
If the horizontal ruler is hidden, click View in the toolbar and choose Show Rulers. To
learn about adjusting your ruler preferences see “Changing Ruler Settings” on page 179.
Blue tab symbols appear on
the horizontal ruler when you
select tabbed text.
Decimal tab
Right tab
Center tab
Left tab
To create a new tab stop:
To create a new tab, click the horizontal ruler to place a tab symbol where you want to
m
set the tab stop, and then Control-click the tab symbol. Choose an alignment option
from the shortcut menu:
Choose from among
these tab types.
Left Tab: Aligns the left side of text with the tab stop.
Center Tab: Places the center of text at the tab stop.
Right Tab: Aligns the right side of text with the tab stop.
Decimal Tab: For numbers, aligns the decimal character (such as a period or comma)
with the tab stop.
You can also double-click the tab symbol repeatedly until the type of tab you
want appears.
178 Chapter 8 Working with Text