Using Tables

Benefits of using tables in Microsoft Word 2003:

Tables help you format and organize complex data and present it as part of a publication.
Tables can be used as a layout tool, where you can insert and format text or graphics without complicated publishing software.

Creating a Basic Table

In your document, put your cursor at the point where you would like to insert a table.
From the Table menu, select Insert > Table.

Tip:

You can also insert a table from the Tables and Borders toolbar. If you do not see this toolbar, select to view it from View > Toolbars > Tables and Borders.

The Insert Table window appears. Select your table dimensions and properties.
Microsoft Word has some basic table styles defined. To view these, click the AutoFormat button and scroll through the table designs.
When you are finished with your table properties and selecting the table style, click the OK button. Your table appears in your document at the insertion point.
Begin adding text or graphics to your table cells the same way you would add text or graphics to a plain Word document. You can also modify the table’s size or appearance using the instructions below.

Modifying an Existing Table

Table Borders

In any cell in your table, right-click and select Borders and Shading.
From the Borders tab, select a border style, and color, if any.

Tip:

If you do not want a border, select the None icon. The grid lines are still viewable in your document, but when printed, they do not appear. If you want to apply a border to only an individual cell and not the whole table, select Box. Grid applies your selected border to only the outermost borders on the table and All applies the border to the whole table and all individual cells.

When you are finished selecting your border properties, click OK. Your table displays its new border settings.

Table Shading

In any cell in your table, right-click and select Borders and Shading.
From the Shading tab, select a fill color, and where you want to apply the whole fill to.

Tip:

You can also fill individual cells by putting your cursor in a cell box and selecting a color from the Paint Bucket tool in the Borders and Shading toolbar.

Resizing Table Rows or Columns

Put your cursor in the first cell block and then highlight diagonally to the last cell block.
Right-click and select Table Properties.
Select either the Row or Column tab and select your size preferences. When you are finished, click OK. If you did not highlight your whole table, this would only resize whatever row/column your cursor was located in when you right-clicked.

Tip:

You can also resize individual table rows or columns by simply dragging the row/column dividers. If you hover your mouse over a divider, you see the resize indicator. Click and drag the resize indicator to resize your row or column divider.

Adding More Rows or Columns

Select a cell in your table closest to the location where you would like to add a new row or column. For example, if you would like to insert a new row after the current row 3 but before the current row 4, you would put your cursor in any cell located in rows 3 or 4.
From the Table menu, select Insert and then select either option for Rows and/or Columns.
Your new rows or columns should appear in the desired location.

Maintained by itweb@wpi.edu
Last modified: May 24, 2007, 14:38 EDT

Using Tables

Benefits of using tables in Microsoft Word 2003:

Creating a Basic Table

Tip:

Modifying an Existing Table

Table Borders

Tip:

Table Shading

Tip:

Resizing Table Rows or Columns

Tip:

Adding More Rows or Columns

Related Word 2003 Resources: