Reader experience is top most priority when it comes to submitting a comprehensive Microsoft Word document for review. Readers should be able to access and easily locate necessary information without having to spend time scrolling through passage after passage of the report. In order to maximise efficiency and allow readers to achieve the experience they deserve, one should consider using indents and tabs. Here’s how to achieve that:
Most document types can be seen with only the first line of each paragraph indented to act as visual separations for different paragraphs. Then there are some who make use of hanging indent, indenting every line except the first line. Feel free to experiment with indentation until you find an arrangement that best fits your document.
When indenting text, you can either indent through the TAB key on your keyboard or work with the indent markers. By using the tab key on your keyboard, this method usually creates an indent of ½ inch for the first line of your paragraph. Remember to set your insertion point (where you want the indent to begin) at the beginning of the paragraphs that are to be indented.
Indent markers on the other hand, allows users more control over their indentation. Indent markers are available for first line adjusting, hanging indent adjusting and left indent marker adjusting (moving both first line and hanging indent simultaneously to indent all lines in the paragraph). Select your paragraphs and hold. Drag the indent marker and a live preview will appear, if you are satisfied, release your mouse. Alternatively, you can also choose the Home tab and select the indent command of your choice.
You will then be able to increase or decrease the indentation.
Tabs are normally used when users want more text placement control. You can add tab stops to the ruler section to change the tab sizes, as well as apply more than one tab stop for a singular line, for example both left and right alignment. Depending on where your insertion point is, tabs can either be added or make a first line indent.
To add tab stops, choose the relevant paragraphs and click on the tab selector until your desired tab stop appears. If you want them removed, you can choose the tab stop and drag it off the ruler on Microsoft Word. To break up your Microsoft Word document and improve the ease of reader experience, indentations and tabs can be highly efficient just by selecting the right placement. Definitely experiment around to see if you can develop a format that works for the type of document you produce.
