How to insert a tab key in iOS 17?

[xetmarcr]

I read instructions online about how to add a 'tab key' in iOS, but I can't get it to work in ios 17.

The two suggestions I've seen are to either:
1) create a keyboard text replacement in macOS using the Control-Option-Tab keys as the replaced text, or
2) tap the microphone icon next to an iOS keyboard and say 'tab key'.

The problems I am running into are the following:
1) When using the Control-Option-Tab key in macOS Sonoma 14.2.1 the cursor doesn't move, acting like there is no response in that line of the Text Replacement setting, and
2) When I speak 'tab key' after tapping the microphone icon in iOS 17.2.1, all I get are the words 'tab key' added to the existing text.

So, is there really a method to add a tab function to my iPhone?

Thanks in advance.

 

[slomtbr]

Creating a text replacement substituting "¿" with Shift-Option-Tab yields this, but tapping on it inserts tab+space. 🤔

 

[xetmarcr]

That's good enough.

Thanks for the tip!