How default = no tabs? [solved]

[BobKnepper]

How do I set my OOo 3.1.0 Writer document default to "no tabs"? Same question but for a specific document?

Went to Format, Paragraph, Tabs and clicked on Delete All and then OK but the tabs remain in the current document and the default. The column at the left shows no tabs but the document ruler still does - and they affect the text. The "Writer Guide", page 234 is "Controlling tab stops" but did not help.

The Help file says to define a document format and save it as the default template, but if I can't delete the document tabs, I can't delete them from the default template.

Thank you for your advice.

Bob

[keme]

Tab stops are properties of the current paragraph. To remove all tab stops, first select the entire document (ctrl+A) then repeat the deletion procedure.

Note that this removes defined tab stops, reverting to the default stops. To adjust default tab stops, see Tools - Options - OpenOffice.org Writer - General.

The tab codes within your text still remain, and will make text at that position skip to the next stop (defined or default).
To reduce tab whitespace to a normal space, you can use find/replace:

Enter \t as the search term, and a single space for replace.
Click More options and ensure that regular expressions is ticked.
Replace all.

[BobKnepper]

Thank you, keme, for your response.

> To adjust default tab stops, see Tools - Options - OpenOffice.org Writer - General. <

Folloowed that path and found Tab Settings adjustable from 0.20" to ? > 12." but no selection of "no tabs". Is (how?) "no tabs" possible as the default in Writer?

Bob

[floris_v]

Why do you want no tab settings at all? If you don't use tabs, the settings probably (more likely certainly) don't affect the look of your documents.
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[BobKnepper]

>Why do you want no tab settings at all? <

Sometimes the tabs seem to cause me more trouble than they do good. Wouldn't operate without tabs all the time but would like the option to turn them off. This is during document composition; am not concerned, at the moment, with the final appearance; can solve that.

Repeating: Is (how?) "no tabs" possible as the default in Writer? - or as one of the options?

Bob

[keme]

[BobKnepper]

Thank you, keme, for the suggestion of pushing the tab(s) to the right margin.

That appears to be the best solution. IMy problem with tabs is probably when I accidently enter an unwanted key or combination.

Bob

[floris_v]

If you want to hide tabs that you enter by accident, I'd say that's a bad strategy. Much better make them visible, then you can spot and delete them.
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[BobKnepper]

Hi floris,

> you want to hide tabs that you enter by accident, I'd say that's a bad strategy. Much better make them visible, then you can spot and delete them.<

To make the tabs optionally visible in the document, not just in the ruler, is why I would like a "reveal codes" or equivalent option.

Is there a document which discusses Writer's human interface philosophy? Maybe if I understood the philosophy I would understand why "reveal codes" or an equivalent option was not included.

Bob

[Sliderule]

Tools -> Options... -> OpenOffice.Writer -> Formatting Aids

Under Display of, place a check mark next to Tabs

Use either:

1. NonPrinting Characters icon on the Standard Toolbar
   
2. Menu: View -> NonPrinting Characters
   
3. Ctrl+F10

[floris_v]

I always have View non-printing characters turned on, it gives control over what you're doing.
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