How to Align Words Vertically in a WPS Writer List Using Tab Stops or a Table
Question details
The user wants a stable vertical alignment for a list of abbreviations and descriptions, such as TC - Teacher, RO - Rose, and LO - Lotus, without relying on manual spaces.
- Product
- WPS Office Writer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is editing a document that contains an abbreviation-description list and wants each description to start at the same vertical line.
- Observed behavior
- Using spaces between abbreviations and descriptions causes inconsistent alignment because text length varies; tab stops or a two-column table create a stable vertical edge.
Open the list in WPS Writer. If you plan to use tab stops, enable the ruler from the View tab; if you plan to use a table, place the cursor where the list should begin.
Align a Simple List with Tab Stops
Use this method for a short abbreviation and description list when you want a quick, editable alignment without inserting a table.
Tab stops create a fixed horizontal position for the description column. This keeps short entries like TC - Teacher and longer ones like LO - Lotus aligned along the same vertical edge.
Open your document in WPS Writer, click the View tab, and check Ruler so the horizontal ruler is visible.
Select all list lines that need aligned descriptions.
Click the tab selector at the left end of the ruler until the left tab icon appears, then click the ruler at the position where descriptions should start.
Place the cursor before each description and press the Tab key. The descriptions move to the tab stop and align consistently.
Align a Structured List with a Two-Column Table
Use this method for longer lists or when you want the easiest, most stable alignment, especially if you are a beginner.
Align Your WPS Writer List with Tab Stops or a Table
Use WPS Writer to replace manual spacing with tab stops or a two-column table. Your abbreviation and description lists will stay aligned, and .docx files remain compatible with Microsoft Word.
- 1. Open your list in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and open the document that contains the abbreviation-description list.
- 2. Choose a tab stop or table: For a quick fix, set a left tab stop on the ruler; for a structured list, click Insert > Table and select two columns.
- 3. Apply the alignment: Press Tab before each description, or fill the first table column with abbreviations and the second with descriptions.
- 4. Remove borders and adjust: Select the table, open Borders on the Table Tools tab, choose No Border, and drag column boundaries to refine spacing.
- 5. Save in Microsoft Word format: Click Menu > Save As and choose .docx to keep the document compatible with Microsoft Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show the ruler in WPS Writer?
Click the View tab and check the Ruler checkbox. The horizontal ruler appears above the page, where you can click to set tab stops.
What is the easiest way to align abbreviation-description lists?
Insert a two-column table. Put abbreviations in the first column and descriptions in the second, then remove borders if you want a plain list appearance.
Can I remove table lines after aligning text?
Yes. Select the table, go to the Table Tools tab, open Borders, and choose No Border. The table stays functional but looks like a normal list.
Will my WPS Writer list stay aligned in Microsoft Word?
Yes. Save the document as .docx. The tab stops or table layout are preserved when the file is opened in Microsoft Word.
What if my tab stop alignment shifts when text length changes?
Use a two-column table instead. A table keeps each column independent, so longer descriptions do not push the next item out of alignment.
