controlling automatic left indents

[Arlene]

Word 2007 has a checkbox in the AutoCorrect dialogn box under the AutoFormat
As You Type tab named "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and backspaces."
I assumed this was why when I pressed a Tab, that an automatic left indent
was set, which meant that anytime after that when I pressed Enter, I would
get an automatic .5-inch indent on the new paragraph. However, I cannot
replicate this behaviour now. Even though the box is checked, the paragraph
is not being indented automatically. What is controlling these indents? I
need to know both how to stop it and how to start it. Thanks in advance.

Arlene

 

[Luc]

Arlene,
I think the default behaviour is that when you press the tab key at the
beginning of the first line of an existing paragraph only the first line
will be indented, when you press the tab key at the beginning of the second
line the whole paragraph will indent. That is certainly the case in Word
2002/2003.
If you uncheck the AutoCorrect option, it will not indent the whole
paragraph just the line you are working on.

 

[CyberTaz]

Each paragraph is a separate entity, so after pressing Enter you have to
press Tab again if you want the new paragraph indented - that setting
doesn't cause all paragraphs to be automatically indented. It just means
that when you press Tab at the start of a paragraph it's treated as a First
Line Left Indent instead of being treated as an actual Tab.

If you want that type of behavior you need to learn about using Paragraph
Styles... look them up in Word Help.

 

[Arlene]

Thanks, Bob, but I find that the help in Word 2007 is sorely lacking in
quality when compared to Word 2003. If anyone has a more specific resolution,
I would truly appreciate it. Styles are very tricky and unpredictable.

Arlene

 

[CyberTaz]

I won't dispute the relative merits of Help at all However, nothing could
be further from the truth with regard to Styles. Not only do they not have
to be "tricky & unpredictable" but they are the *only* method of
constructing a stable & consistently formatted document and are the very
cornerstone on which Word is built. If your experience has been otherwise
perhaps some additional reference material might prove useful:

The entire Shauna Kelly site, really, but in particular;

http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/concepts/styles/index.html

http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/styles/TipsOnStyles.html

You'll also find some excellent material within this download:

http://word.mvps.org/Mac/Bend/BendWordToYourWill.html

--
HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Arlene]

WOW! These links are great!! Thanks so much. I have some homework to do.

Arlene

 

[CyberTaz]

Good luck to you! Just keep in mind that although 2007 is a different animal
in many respects the same principles still apply. The differences will
mostly be in *where* you'll find the corresponding features & settings.
Someone here will be glad to clarify any questions.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac