<tab> (Tab Character)

This element specifies that a tab character shall be placed at the current location in the run content. An tab is a character which is used to advance the position on the current line of text when displaying this WordprocessingML content, using the following logic:

  • When there are one or more custom tab stops defined using the <tabs> element (§2.3.1.38) , then the tab character shall advance to the next custom tab stop location which is further along than the starting location of the tab

  • When there are no custom tab stops which are further than the current position in the line, the tab character shall advance to the nearest multiple of the <defaultTabStop> element (§2.15.1.24) width value.

example: 
<w:pPr>
  <w:tabs>
    <w:tab w:val="left" w:pos="2160" /> 
    <w:tab w:val="left" w:pos="5040" /> 
  </w:tabs>
</w:pPr>

If a tab character was added to a run in this paragraph and appeared 1.4” along the line after all preceding content was laid out, then this tab would move the position to 1.5”. If the tab character appeared 1.6” along the line after all preceding content was laid out, then this tab would move the position to 3.5”. In both cases, the tab advanced to the next custom tab stop. ]

Parent Elements

<r> (§7.1.2.87); <r> (§2.3.2.23)

The following XML Schema fragment defines the contents of this element:

<complexType name="CT_Empty"/>