Can't use initial tab

[joneall]

I am running LO 6.4.5.2 on KDE Neon 5.19.

Somehow, recently, probably when I upgraded to the current version of Neon (including a new version of LO), all my LO files have lost their initial tab stops. I use them to indent equations. I have 10 or so quite voluminous LO files and I would like to get the tabs back.

If I go to the beginning of any line and hit the tab key, nothing happens. No tab is inserted. (I have toggled on the formatting marks.) I have consulted the Help page on tabs and find it to be fairly abstruse. I want to get back my tabs on all my files, at least all those with a specific home-grown template. I would much prefer to avoid having to go through and redefine things for each line or even each paragraph.

If I do as in the help and select several paragraphs, the ruler bar is grayed out.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. This is a Big Deal for me.

LATER, around 20:30 Paris time.

I don’t understand how to use this forum. I can’t add a comment, as that is reserved for a solution. So is all I can do edit my original post like I am doing now? And I don’t see any way to attach a document. I am using a custom template and have saved a page in that template to attach. But how? I do not have the pb if I just create a new text document without my template.

The equation are done in latex with TexMaths. I do try to keep things simple, so I have never learned how to use styles. But I wanted numbered headings 3 levels deep.

07/09 10:16 — just attached a sample file, in which I cannot add an initial tab.

t2-test.odt

[ajlittoz]

How are those paragraph styled? A custom-made style? Have you added direct formatting? Are those paragraphs part of a numbered list? Are the equations designed with Math?

Your best option is to attach a 1-page sample to your question. Don’t use an answer; this is reserved for solutions.

[joneall]

Oh, I guess this is where I am to reply to your comment. I missed that. I still don’t see how to attach a sample document.

I am using a custom template and have saved a page in that template to attach. But how? I do not have the pb if I just create a new text document without my template.

The equation are done in latex with TexMaths. I do try to keep things simple, so I have never learned how to use styles. But I wanted numbered headings 3 levels deep.

[ajlittoz]

This site is not a forum. This is why you must edit your question until it is self-sufficient: everything useful is enumerated at a single location saving the pain to read many partial additions. This encourages synthesis and completeness. You did it right and special thanks for clearly identifying the edit.

Attaching a sample file: when you edit your question, press the paperclip in the toolbar. It is not possible to attach to a comment.

I do try to keep things simple, so I have never learned how to use styles

This is direct formatting. Contrary to common belief, direct formatting makes things horribly complex and lead to formatting hell, making it impossible to fix formatting from a single location.

[ajlittoz]

No problem here with adding initial tab in Text Body paragraphs (Fedora 32, KDE Plasma 5.18.5, LO 6.4.6.2). Initial tab in Heading n causes various problems but this is “normal” becauseHeading n family is very specific: it is both a numbered list and a set of styles attached to outline levels. Adding an initial tab in these paragraphs creates a mess because it competes with non-orthogonal features. Initial tabs in Heading n is strongly discouraged.

If your purpose is to indent first line, play with paragraph style attributes (Indents & Spacing tab). Don’tdo that for Heading n, instead use Tools>Chapter Numbering.