Edit and manage tab settings

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to move, delete, and change tab stops with precise control in Adobe InDesign.

Use the Tabs dialog box to move or delete tab stops and select different alignment types for a paragraph. When you add a tab stop, InDesign removes default tabs to its left, ensuring your custom tabs control spacing.

Move a tab stop

Select anywhere in the paragraph with the Type tool.

Select Type > Tabs and then select a tab stop on the ruler.

Type a value in the X field and press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS).

Delete a tab stop

Position the insertion point in the paragraph that contains the tab you want to remove.

Select Type > Tabs, select the tab, select the panel menu  icon, and then select Delete Tab. Select Clear All to remove all custom tabs and restore default settings.

Change tab alignment

Select Type > Tabs, and then select the tab stop you want to change.

Select one of the four tab-alignment icons that aligns to either left, center, right, or decimal.