Select an insertion point in the paragraph.
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn how to repeat, move, delete, and customize tab stops and tab leaders using the Tabs panel.
Repeat tabs
The Repeat Tab option creates multiple tabs based on the distance between the tab and the left indent or the previous tab stop.
A. Tab-alignment buttons B. Tab stop on the ruler C. Panel menu
In the Tabs panel, select a tab stop on the ruler.
Select the Repeat Tab option from the panel menu .
Move tabs
In the Tabs panel, select a tab stop on the ruler.
Follow any of these options:
- Type a new location in X (for horizontal text) or Y (for vertical text) and select Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS).
- Drag the tab to a new location.
- To move all tab stops simultaneously, Ctrl -+ drag (Windows) or command + drag (macOS) a tab.
A visual guide appears in the selected text when you move the tab stop.
Remove tabs
Select the tab stop.
Select Delete Tab from the panel menu .
Tip
You can also drag the tab off the -ruler to remove it. To return to the default tab stops, select Clear All Tabs from the panel menu.
Add tab leaders
A tab leader is a repeated pattern of characters, such as a series of dots or dashes, between a tab and the following text.
In the Tabs panel, select a tab stop on the ruler.
Type a pattern of as many as eight characters in the Leader box, and then press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS). The characters you entered repeat across the width of the tab.
Note
To change the font or other formatting of the tab leader, select the tab character in the text frame and use the Character panel or Type menu to apply formatting.
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