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In New Outlook, using Tab for indenting text does not align vertically

Emerson M 20 Reputation points
2026-06-08T17:45:04.4733333+00:00

When drafting an email, I often like to use tabs to keep information in lists aligned vertically and easily readable. Using tab to indent an entire list does work, and the list numbers/bullets all align vertically as expected. However, when adding another tab indent within the list item, New Outlook is adding a series of spaces that does not align. The issue is that when there is text before the tab indent, New Outlook will add the same number of spaces afterward rather than to the usual indent increments to align vertically.

In Classic Outlook (and in Microsoft Word), using a tab will indent the text after it to uniform vertical alignment not based off of the text preceding it.

Attached is a screenshot of the same list in both New Outlook and in Classic Outlook. For added context, a tab was entered after the item name in each line of the list followed by the date of the item. In Classic outlook, the tab indents to the same vertically aligned increment while in New Outlook the tab indent is offset by the difference in length of the word before and does not align.

Is there something I am missing to enable Tabs in New Outlook to work the same way they do in Classic Outlook & in Word? Is there a reason this was changed?

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Many Thanks,

Emerson

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business
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Answer accepted by question author

Vy Nguyen 11,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-06-08T18:51:48.7533333+00:00

Hi @Emerson M, 

I hope you're doing well today. 

Based on the information you shared that in New Outlook, when you press Tab after text within a list item, the following content does not align vertically the way it does in Classic Outlook and Microsoft Word.  

This difference occurs because New Outlook is built on a web-based architecture, which handles tab characters differently from the traditional desktop engine that Classic Outlook relies on. As a result, rather than jumping to a fixed tab stop position, New Outlook calculates spacing relative to the length of the text that precedes the tab, which is what causes the misalignment you are seeing across your list items. 

To help you achieve the consistent vertical alignment you need, here are some workarounds approaches you can try: 

Option 1: Use a table for consistent vertical alignment in New Outlook 

  • Open a new email in New Outlook 
  • Select the formatting options in the compose window 
  • Insert a table with 2 columns and the required number of rows 
  • Enter the item name in the first column and the date in the second column 
  • Adjust the table style as needed for a cleaner appearance 

This is the most reliable method when alignment needs to remain consistent across multiple lines in New Outlook. Microsoft also provides guidance for inserting and editing tables in the Outlook web based compose experience.  

For your reference:  

Option 2: Use Classic Outlook for messages that require fixed tab stop formatting 

  • Open Classic Outlook for emails that depend on precise alignment 
  • Compose the list there using the same tab formatting you currently use 
  • Review the spacing before sending to confirm the layout appears as expected 

This option is the closest match to the behavior available in Classic Outlook and Word. Microsoft also confirms that users can continue working with both New Outlook and Classic Outlook side by side when a specific workflow is better supported in Classic Outlook.  

Option 3: Submit feedback from within New Outlook for product review 

  • In New Outlook, select Help 
  • Choose Feedback or Support 
  • Describe that pressing Tab inside a list item aligns based on the text before it instead of moving to a uniform vertical position 
  • Attach the screenshot comparison between New Outlook and Classic Outlook 
  • Mention that you would like the behavior to match Word and Classic Outlook more closely 

This is the best way to ensure the product team can review the exact formatting scenario you reported. Microsoft advises using the in app feedback and support options in New Outlook so the team can collect screenshots, diagnostics, and detailed product feedback.  

At this time, there is no setting in New Outlook that changes this tab behavior to fully match Classic Outlook in the same way. Therefore, if exact alignment is required, using a table in New Outlook or composing the message in Classic Outlook will be the most dependable approach. 

Additionally, as other users have raised similar concerns and may not be aware of where to share their feedback, I hope this response helps clarify the situation and suggests a potential next step. Highlighting this information can make it more visible to others in the community who may be facing the same issue, making it easier for them to find guidance and contribute their feedback as well.      

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.      

Wishing you a smooth rest of your day.     

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