How to Tab in LaTeX: Quickstart Guide_Computers and Electronics_Common Sense of Life

Section 1 of 3: Using the Tabbing Environment

1 Type \begin. This will initiate the tabbing environment in your LaTeX code. This method manually sets tab stops in your text.
- If you’re just getting started, check out our guides on installing LaTeX and coding.
2 Type the first line of text. This is just normal text that we’ll add tab stops to in the next step.
- Make sure to end each line of text with \\ to end the line and start a new line.
3 Insert \= for tab stops. Place this syntax in the first line of text wherever you want there to be tab stops.
4 Type the second line of text. This is normal text in which we’ll add tab stop advances. Don’t forget to add a \\ at the end!
5 Insert \> for tab stop advances. Place this syntax in the second line of text where you want the text to be inline with the tab stops placed in the first line.
- After this, you can repeat this process with new lines of text until you’ve completed your document.
6 Type \end. Type this code after the end of your text to close tabbing mode. You’re done!
- As you continue your math journey, check out our guide on how to learn math for general tips!

Section 2 of 3: Using \quad

1 Insert \quad. This code will create a space of 18 mu wherever you place it. This is great for consistent paragraph indenting.
- “mu” is a LaTeX length unit equal to 1/18 em. An “em” is about the width of an uppercase “M” in the font you’re using.
2 Insert \qquad. This code has a space length of 36 mu, twice the length of \quad. This is great for organizing text by using indentation to indicate nesting.

Section 3 of 3: Using \hspace

1 Insert \hspace. This code will create a space 5 centimeters (cm) wide. This is great for creating spacing dependent on length rather than font (unlike \quad).
- Vary the distance inside the to get the spacing you need. You can use multiple \hspace of different lengths to organize your text.
2 Insert \hfill. This code fills the remaining space in the line of text (to the right-side margin). This is helpful if you’re writing a resume in LaTex and you want to right-align the dates.
- For example, if you type:
  - Hello \hfill World
- “Hello” will be on the left side of the text box, and “World” will be on the right side, against the right margin.

How to Tab in LaTeX: Quickstart Guide