Tabulator: meaning, definitions and examples
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tabulator
[ təˈbjuːləˌtər ]
computer hardware
A tabulator is a device or software function that organizes data in columns for easy reading. This term is often used in the context of data entry or data presentation, where information needs to be aligned in a structured format. In computing, tabulators can refer to the key on a keyboard that creates a tab space, moving the cursor to the next fixed position. Tabulators are crucial for formatting text documents and spreadsheets, allowing users to create neat and organized layouts.
Synonyms
data organizer, formatter, tab key.
Examples of usage
- Press the tabulator key to move to the next cell in the spreadsheet.
- The report was difficult to read until I used the tabulator function to align the data.
- He adjusted the tabulator settings to fit the document's margins.
manual entry
In the context of manual data entry, a tabulator can refer to any device or method used to systematically arrange and classify information. Historically, tabulators were physical machines used in offices to process and record information on punched cards or paper. This use of tabulators has evolved with technology, leading to modern software that fulfills the same organizational purposes.
Synonyms
data processor, organizer, sorter.
Examples of usage
- The clerk used a mechanical tabulator to sort through customer records.
- With the advent of computers, traditional tabulators have become less common.
- The new software features an advanced tabulator for managing data entries.
Translations
Translations of the word "tabulator" in other languages:
🇵🇹 tabulador
- tabela
- tabulação
🇮🇳 तालिका
- टेबल
- सूची
🇩🇪 Tabulator
- Tabelle
- Auflistung
🇮🇩 tabulator
- tabel
- daftar
🇺🇦 табулятор
- таблиця
- список
🇵🇱 tabulator
- tabela
- lista
🇯🇵 タブレータ
- 表
- リスト
🇫🇷 tabulateur
- tableau
- liste
🇪🇸 tabulador
- tabla
- lista
🇹🇷 tabulator
- tablo
- liste
🇰🇷 탭루레이터
- 표
- 목록
🇸🇦 تابولатор
- جدول
- قائمة
🇨🇿 tabulátor
- tabulka
- seznam
🇸🇰 tabulator
- tabuľka
- zoznam
🇨🇳 制表符
- 表格
- 列表
🇸🇮 tabulator
- tabela
- seznam
🇮🇸 tabulator
- tafla
- listi
🇰🇿 табулятор
- кесте
- тізім
🇬🇪 ტაბულატორი
- ცხრილი
- სია
🇦🇿 tabulator
- cədvəl
- siyahı
🇲🇽 tabulador
- tabla
- lista
Etymology
The word 'tabulator' originates from the Latin word 'tabula', meaning 'a board or tablet'. The term began to be used in English around the late 19th century during the rise of office machinery. Early tabulators were mechanical devices that used punch cards to record and process data, which facilitated business and administrative tasks. As technology advanced, the term evolved to include software applications that perform similar functions. Today, 'tabulator' is primarily associated with electronic data organization, emphasizing its importance in both historical and contemporary contexts.