In Microsoft Word 2002, I generally prefer to use tables instead of tabs when creating columns of text. But sometimes I am forced to use tabbed columns, often because I need decimal alignment in one column. I haven't found a way to put tabs in the table, because the Tab key takes me to the next cell. Is there some way to insert tabs in table cells so I can use decimal tabs in one column?
The short answer is that you can insert a tab character in a table by pressing Ctrl-Tab. But you don't need to insert a tab character to get decimal alignment in a table.
Create a table and select all the cells in the column for which you need decimal alignment. Then set the button at the left-hand side of Word's horizontal ruler for decimal tabs by clicking on it until you see the decimal tab icon (an upside-down T with a dot next to it). Finally, create the tab by clicking on the place on the ruler where you want the tab to be. If you already have numbers in the column, they will immediately align themselves with the decimal tab. If you enter new numbers, they will automatically align with the tab as wellwithout your having to enter a tab into each cell.
This trick works with decimal tabs only. If you need the equivalent of left, right, or center tabs, format the column with left, right, or center paragraph alignment. If you need indented first lines or indents for subsequent lines only for paragraphs in a column, format the paragraphs with an indented or hanging first line.