In Microsoft Word, the on screen ruler is mainly used for which of the following document formatting tasks?

Introduction / Context:
Microsoft Word provides several visual tools to help users format documents quickly and precisely. One of the most useful tools is the horizontal ruler displayed at the top of the document window. The ruler is interactive and allows you to drag markers to control indents, tab stops, and margins. This question checks whether you understand the practical uses of the ruler in Word by asking which set of tasks it can perform.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The application in question is Microsoft Word or a similar word processor.
- The ruler referred to is the horizontal ruler shown near the top of the editing window.
- The tasks considered include setting indents, altering margins, and placing tab stops.
- We assume a default Word configuration where the ruler is visible and interactive.

Concept / Approach:
The horizontal ruler in Microsoft Word shows margin boundaries, indentation markers, and tab markers. Paragraph indents such as first line indent and hanging indent can be controlled using small triangle and rectangle markers. Tab stops can be inserted or moved by clicking on the ruler, which controls how text aligns when the Tab key is pressed. Margins can also be adjusted by dragging the boundary between the shaded and unshaded areas on the ruler. Because the ruler offers all three categories of control, any answer that lists only one subset of these actions is incomplete. The correct answer is the option that includes all of the tasks mentioned.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider paragraph indents. On the left side of the ruler, there are markers for first line indent and left indent. Dragging these markers changes how far the text starts from the left margin, so the ruler helps set indents. Step 2: Consider tab stops. Clicking on the ruler sets tab positions at specific measurements. Dragging these tab markers changes where text aligns when you press the Tab key, so the ruler helps set and adjust tabs. Step 3: Consider margins. The ruler shows the boundary between the white typing area and the gray margin area. You can drag this boundary to change the left or right margins of the document, so the ruler also helps adjust margins directly. Step 4: Observe that all three tasks are supported by the same on screen ruler, not by different tools. Step 5: Therefore, the option that states all of the above formatting tasks is the best and most complete description of what the ruler helps you do.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you open Word and make sure the ruler is visible through the View menu, you can verify these functions directly. Dragging the triangle markers changes indents and you can see the paragraph move. Clicking on the ruler sets a tab stop, visible as a small marker, and pressing Tab moves the insertion point to that location. Dragging the shaded margin boundary changes the white area where text can appear, confirming that margins are being altered. These simple experiments clearly demonstrate that the ruler is a multi purpose tool for all three tasks listed in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Setting paragraph indents: This is a true function of the ruler, but it is not the only one, so this option alone is incomplete.
Changing page margins by dragging markers: Also correct but incomplete because the ruler has additional uses beyond margins.
Setting and adjusting tab stops: Again correct, but the question asks what the ruler helps with overall, so a broader answer is needed.

Common Pitfalls:
Users who have only used the ruler for one purpose, such as setting tabs, may mistakenly think that is its sole function and choose an option that mentions only tabs. Others may confuse margin settings in the Page Layout dialog with dragging margin markers on the ruler and assume the ruler has nothing to do with margins. Remember that Word often provides multiple ways to perform the same action. The ruler is a visual shortcut for indents, tabs, and margins all together, so the most comprehensive option is the correct one.

Final Answer:
In Microsoft Word, the on screen ruler is used to control All of the above formatting tasks, including paragraph indents, tab stops, and margins.