How to Add Stripe Patterns to Tables in Microsoft Word 2003

Word processors are not just for creating text documents anymore. Rather, they offer basic graphic-design and image-editing programs, as well as complex table-creation and style-formatting options. This allows users to create basic tables using the "table editor" feature, then go back and determine the styles of the tables, including adding patterns and other forms of formatting as desired.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Access the Styles and Formatting menu. Click on the “Formatting” tab, then select “Styles and Formatting” to access this menu; a styles and formatting task pane will open to the right.

2. Click on the table to select it.

3. Select the table for modification. In the styles and formatting task pane, scroll to where you see the table grid style and click the arrow next to it. Then select “Modify” from the submenu that opens.

4. Add stripes to the table. Click on the line style drop-down menu and choose the stripe patterns you desire.

5. Set the formatting options. Under the “Apply Formatting To” drop-down menu, select the portions of the table to which you want to apply the strip patterns.

6. Click “OK” to save your style changes and add the stripe patterns to the table.

Tips & Warnings

• This feature is great for decorating tables and making them flashier.
• On the other hand, stripe patterns can really clutter up the view of a table.