.Tab Statement—Specify Tab Position
The .tab statement specifies the position on the line where the next text is printed.
This statement has the following format:
.tab | .tb | .t [[+|-] n | columnname | expression]
The parameters for the .tab statement are listed below:
+ or -
If sign is present, the new position or column is calculated relative to the current position. If sign is not present, it is set to the evaluated position n.
columnname
The name of a column in the report. You can specify the column name as a delimited identifier by enclosing it within double quotes ("), if you have previously specified the .delimid statement.
Report-Writer determines the position for the column either explicitly through the use of the .position statement, or implicitly as described in Automatic Determination of Default Settings. If columnname is specified, Report-Writer begins the next output text at the position associated with the named column.
expression
A numeric or string expression. If the expression is numeric, it must evaluate to the next print position on the line. If the expression is a string, it must evaluate to the name of a column in the report. Precede all variables that are part of the expression with a dollar sign ($).
The plus sign (+) and minus sign (-) must be explicitly stated and cannot be part of the expression.