BasicsLeading dots and advanced tabs are used in the technical writing process to create both tablet of contents' and organized information that is not straining on the eyes.

Configuring Tabs
In order to configure tabs for a document, you must be able to see the ruler at the top of the word document.  If the ruler is not visible, then click on the View Ruler icon which is located above the right scrollbar and just underneath the ribbon.

Tab Types
Before you actually create the tabs, you must first decide what type of tab you want.  Microsoft Word 2007 comes with 8 different types of tab styles, all of which have a unique purpose.  The left and right tabs are the most commonly used tabs.  You can click on the tab type icon on the upper left corner of teh screen underneath the ribbon in order to toggle through the different types of tabs.

Adding Tabs
Once you have decided which tab you would like to insert in your document, then you will want to click on the ruler at the desired location for the tab stop.

Leading DotsLeading dots need to manually be configured for every tab that you wish to have leading dots for.

1. Click on the Home ribbon tab
2. Click on the pop-out icon for the Paragraph group (see previous image)
   
   Click Image to Enlarge
3. Click Tabs...
   
   Click Image to Enlarge
• The Tab stop position section provides a listing of all the current tab stops for your document.  Click on individual tabs to change its settings
• Alignment - Sets what type of tab stop should be used at that tab stop position
• Leader - Sets how the tab stops are treated as far as a leading filler from where you pressed the Tab button on the keyboard up until the tab stop