How to Tab Your AA Big Book Step by Step — The Complete Guide

If you've ever sat down with a sponsor and watched them flip to the exact right page in seconds — that's tabs. The AA Big Book has 575 pages. Without tabs, working the Steps becomes a search-and-page exercise. With tabs, the book opens where you need it. Here's everything you need to know.

Why Tabs Make a Difference

Tabs aren't cosmetic. They're a functional tool. Every sponsor who's been around long enough has figured out a system — either their own or someone else's. The AAmazingtabs system has been refined over 30 years of daily use in step work, so what you're getting isn't guesswork. It's what works.

When your Big Book is tabbed, you can find any of the 12 Steps instantly, flip directly to the Promises mid-conversation, locate any prayer without hunting, and move between key sections in seconds. That's the difference between a study tool and a book you carry around.

What You'll Need

To tab your Big Book yourself, you need a standard AA Big Book (4th Edition) and a complete AAmazingtabs DIY Tabs Kit — 144 laminated, pre-labeled tabs with a step-by-step placement guide included. Every tab is already labeled with the name of the section it marks.

If you'd rather skip the process entirely, the pre-tabbed and highlighted AA Big Book arrives with all 144 tabs already applied and the text highlighted throughout. Open the box and it's done.

Step-by-Step: Applying Your Tabs

Step 1 — Lay out your tabs

Organize the 6 pages of tabs before you begin. The placement guide lists each tab by name and the exact page it goes on. Keep the guide open next to you throughout.

Step 2 — Start at the front

Work from the beginning of the book to the end. Don't skip around. The placement guide is ordered front-to-back so you don't lose your place.

Step 3 — Apply each tab to the outside edge of the right-hand page

Tabs go on the right side of the right-hand page. The label sticks out beyond the page edge. Center the tab vertically at the correct page — the guide tells you exactly where.

Step 4 — Press firmly and allow to set

Run your thumbnail across the tab adhesive. Give it 30 seconds before turning the page. The adhesive is repositionable for a short time, so you can adjust before it sets permanently.

Step 5 — Complete all 144 tabs

Most people complete the full tabbing in one sitting — about 90 minutes following the guide. Work front-to-back without skipping sections.

Step 6 — Let the book rest 24 hours before heavy use

Let the book sit closed overnight before daily use. The adhesive cures fully over the first 24 hours.

What Gets Tabbed

The full AAmazingtabs system marks all 12 Steps, all 12 Traditions, the Promises (page 83–84), Doctor's Opinion, Bill's Story, How It Works, Into Action, There Is a Solution, To Wives, The Family Afterward, Working With Others, A Vision for You, and all key Prayers — 3rd Step, 7th Step, 11th Step (On Awakening and Retire at Night), Fear Prayer, Resentment Prayer, Sex Conduct Prayer, Acceptance Prayer, and Sick Man's Prayer. That's 144 tabs total.

Should You Highlight Too?

Tabbing organizes your Big Book. Highlighting takes it further — it turns the book into a visual study guide. The pre-tabbed and highlighted AA Big Book comes with both: all 144 tabs applied plus color-highlighted text throughout.

If you prefer to do your own highlighting (many sponsors like doing this process with a sponsee), the AAmazingtabs Tabs Kit gives you the tab system without pre-done highlighting. For a deeper look at how tabbed Big Books work in step work, read What Is a Tabbed and Highlighted AA Big Book.

The Fastest Option

If you need a book ready for a newcomer on Day 1, the pre-tabbed and highlighted AA Big Book ($99) arrives fully done. Also available in large print soft cover for members who prefer a bigger font. We also offer an AA Big Book Tabbing & Highlighting Workshop for those who want to learn the full system before starting.

Questions? Reach us at catherine@aamazingtabs.com or (949) 836-3730. We're a sober family with 30+ years in the rooms.