WD: Tab Stop in TOC Style Reflects Right Margin Position

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you modify any of the table of contents (TOC) styles and replace the right-aligned tab stop that corresponds to the position of the page number, the tab position changes to match the position of the right margin when you update your TOC field. In other words, if your page is set to the default margins and the page orientation is Portrait, the tab stop reverts to 6 inches. If your page is set to the default margins and the page orientation is Landscape, the tab stop reverts to 9 inches.

CAUSE

Microsoft Word resets the tab setting so that the page numbers are always placed at the right margin. This is a design limitation to accommodate changes in page orientation, number of columns, and metric sizes.

RESOLUTION

To position the table of contents page numbers outside the original right margin, add a section break above and below the table of contents, and then change the right margin to exactly match the tab stop position for the table of contents. When you update the TOC field, Word will automatically position your page numbers at the right margin.

If you want to position your page numbers to the left of the right margin, add a tab stop at the desired position, for example, 5.5 inches, but do not delete the 6-inch tab stop. When you update the table of contents, the page numbers will be in the correct position.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem has been corrected in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows and Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition.