A table is made up of rows and columns of cells that you can fill with text and graphics. Most work with tables in Word can be done by using the Tables and Borders toolbar found at the top of the Word window. For extra table formatting and functions use the Table menu.
What follows are the steps for the more common table tasks. Consult your Word documentation for additional information on working with tables.
Adding Text
Click in the cell and then begin typing.
Use the TAB key to move to the next cell.
Use Shift+TAB to move to the previous cell.
Use the arrow keys to move up or down.
Removing Printing Gridlines
Move the mouse pointer to the upper, left corner of the table.
Click on the table move handle (looks like a cross) to select the table.
Click Format, Borders and Shading, and select none on the Borders tab
Showing/Hiding Non-Printing Gridlines
Once the printing gridlines are removed from the table, non-printing gridlines appear. Use these gridlines to work within the cells of a table. Turn off the gridlines periodically in order to view the table as it will be printed, without the non-printing gridlines.
To hide the non-printing gridlines
Click within the table
Click Table, Hide Gridlines
To turn the printing gridlines back on.
Click Table, Show Gridlines
Selecting Parts of a Table
|
Selecting the table |
Click on the Table Move Handle in the upper left corner of the table. |
|
Selecting columns |
Move the mouse pointer to the very top of the column until it becomes a down arrow. Click and the column is selected. |
|
Selecting several columns |
Click and drag when the pointer turns into a down arrow. |
|
Selecting rows |
Move the mouse pointer into the selection bar. Click and the row is selected. |
|
Selecting several rows |
Click and drag in the selection bar. |
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Selecting a cell |
Move your mouse to the left edge of the cell until it becomes a pointer, and then click. |
Tab Stops in a Cell
To use a tab stop within a table cell, press Ctrl+TAB instead of pressing TAB only. Striking the TAB key while in a table moves the cursor to the next cell, instead of to the next tab stop.
Merging cells
Select the cells you want to merge
Click table, Merge Cells
Splitting Cells
Select the cells you want to split
Click Table, Split Cells
Adjusting Column Width
Select the columns
Right Click, choose Table Properties then click the Column tab.
To specify an exact measurement, enter a number in the Width of column box
or
Click Table, AutoFit
Choose one of the commands from the submenu.
Adding Rows and Columns
Insert a Row
Select the row below where you want the new row to appear.
Right click on the selection
Click Insert Row from the shortcut menu a new row is inserted above the selected row
Insert Many Rows
Select the same number of rows that you want to insert.
Right click on the selection, then click Insert Rows, from the shortcut menu multiple rows are inserted above the selection.
Insert a Column
Select the column to the right of where you want the new column to appear
Right click on the select.
Choose Insert Columns from the shortcut menu the column is inserted to the left of the selected column.
Insert Many Columns
Select the same number of columns that you want to insert.
Right click on the selection.
Choose Insert Columns from the shortcut menu.