Centering equations with a right-justified number in Microsoft Word

When writing technical documents like engineering reports or scientific manuscripts, equations are often necessary. How to format and align the equations and their numbers can sometimes be tricky. There are several videos online showing a table method for equations, but another method is to use tab stops. I didn't find a good, concise video for the tab-stop method, so I put this one together.

The equation is centered using a center-style tab stop. The equation number is right-justified using a right-style tab stop. That's pretty much all there is to it. This example is for Microsoft Word, but the concept should be applicable to other software packages.

[plunderersparadise]

Man, you are a genius. I've read all those articles about how to insert a stupid equation, and now you showed up with exactly with what I needed

[TheMrWARLORD]

4 years later, still helping folks! thanks man

[theresalee]

I am reformatting my thesis for publication and I had no idea that tab stop button square thing even did anything! Never paid it any attention! Gone are the days I double click on the ruler to fiddle with those tabs! What a life changer! Thanks!!

[nickrichardson]

Currently writing my thesis and of course I end up on your page! Teaching me through my undergrad just wasn't enough! Hope you are doing well, thanks for this and everything else! -Nick Richardson (Class of 21)

[anasmoustafa]

Great work man, I think the guy who invented Word doesn't even know this.

Short and straight to the point, thank you!

[nayunis]

A big problem I have with this is that it requires you to manually number the equations, which is a very bad idea if you have many equations and you want to cross reference them. edit: works also with automatic numbering, my bad

[ChoapChoaps]

I never comment, but bless you, sir.

[marekpalenik]

By using tab equation font changes format. In more complex equations (for example containing summation symbol) this procedure is not appropriate.

[mohamadnajib]

finally a hero that i need.. thanks man

[spuddypwnerthesecond]

That scale on the left doesn't show up for me, how can i see it?

[Poutoksereiseimaigw]

Help
It seems that I have hidden the "tab stop" bar... Where from can I activate it again?

[nandhagopalp]

Thank you for sharing. It is very useful.

[naufalnabil]

simple, short, right on the point. thank you sir

[connorrowe]

You're a wizard. But a follow up question, it seems to make my equations appear in inline, vertically condensed format. It screws up sums and integrals...

[davidcsik]

Hi. I have a problem. When I justify my equation just like you did (with TAB), it changes (automatically) the font size in the equation (compare the left and the right side of the equation: 0:42 vs 0:44). How can I justify the equation without changing the font size?

[mani]

How can we add hyperlink or something like that to properly referencing it in other part of document.

[jerryk]

Nice and easy indeed! Thanks for sharing!

[xoppa]

what is the view so you have those tab markings

[christosbardas]

Why does the equation get kinda "smooshed in" for a lack of a better word lol