Clicking in Ruler Does Not Create New Tab

[compupix]

Double-clicking in the ruler does not insert a new tab. It brings up the Page Setup dialog.

The left edge of the ruler doesn't show tab types.

How do I change those two behaviors?

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 v 2212 build 15928.20216 Click-to-Run

[#2 · Accepted solution]

@compupix I believe that the issue is that you are in Web Layout view.

If you switch to Print Layout View, the functionality to which you make reference will be available.

[#3]

@Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP 

Changing to Print Layout worked. I think this is a change in behavior.

Thanks!

[#4]

@compupix Not really,  Print Layout view is the default

Maybe you had inadvertently clicked on the Web Layout button that is next to the Print Layout button

[#5]

@Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP 

I was absolutely in [Print Layout] view when I experienced this issue:

• I *COULD* see the tab type (as well as click there to change tab type) — on the left, just below the ribbon/toolbar.
• I *COULD NOT* add the selected tab type by double clicking on the ruler — as worked for many years in the past.  Instead the [Page Setup] dialog box poped up.

Evidently, something in msWord had changed.  

However, I discovered by chance while writing this post that if I switched to [Draft] view that, miraculously, I was again able to add tabs by clicking on the ruler.  Then, when I switch back to [Print Layout] view (which is exactly where I was before) — the problem was magically resolved.

(It could also be due to my action in adding a tab while in [Draft] view that fixed the problem - in case this is helpful in terms of trying to reproduce the problem.  However regardless of whether it was the action of switching from [Page Layout] view, then back again to [Print Layout] view - or the action of adding a tab by clicking on the ruler in [Draft] view - that cleared the problem — it would still remain to uncover whatever flipped msWord into the anamalous state of not being able to add tabs in [Page Layout] view by clicking on the ruler.)

Evidently, even though I was in [Page Layout] view at the outset and unable to add tabs by clicking on the ruler — I was able to fix the issue by switching to [Draft] view and then switching back to [Page Layout] view.  It would appear that, even though I was initially in [Page Layout] view, something internal to msWord was somehow toggled in the wrong view state as far as adding tabs by clicking on the ruler.

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