How to Make a Table in Microsoft Word

Tables are a great way to add data to enhance a Microsoft Word document. Inserting tables into a document in Microsoft Word is easy, and the tables look very professional. Word has lots of tools available to make creating a table very convenient and easily customized. You can add as many columns and rows as needed, and entering data into the table is easy. Follow these steps to make a table in Microsoft Word.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Creating a Table in Word 2007

1. Click on the "Insert" tab once you have opened Microsoft Word 2007. If you want to insert a table into a specific place within an existing document, click on that spot in the document. Click on "Table" in the "Tables" section of the tab. Use the rows and columns of boxes that appear after clicking on "Table." Glide your mouse pointer over the boxes until the desired number of columns and rows are added to the table. The table will show up in the document. Click on the last box selected and the table will be permanently inserted.

2. Alternatively, select "Insert Table" and a box will appear asking for the number of columns and rows that you want in the table. Enter the numbers and click "OK." The table will be inserted into the document.

3. Merge cells within a table by highlighting the group of cells that you want to merge. Click on the "Layout" tab and choose "Merge Cells" in the "Merge" section.

4. Split cells by clicking inside the cell that you want to split. Click on "Split Cells" in the "Merge" section of the "Layout" tab. In the box that comes up, choose how many columns and rows that you want to split the cell into. Click "OK."

5. Insert rows or columns into the table. Click in a cell either before or after where you want to add a row or column. Use the tools in the "Rows & Columns" section of the "Layout" tab to do this. Click on the arrow under "Delete" to delete rows and columns.

6. Use the many tools in the "Design" and "Layout" tabs that are available when you select the table. You can add or change color, format the text or change the style of the table.

7. Click into each cell to enter data into the table.

Creating a Table in Word 2003

8. Click on the spot where you want to insert a table in your Microsoft Word 2003 document.

9. Go to "Table" on the top tool bar and select "Insert." The "Insert Table" box will appear.

10. Choose the number of rows and columns that you want to add to the table and click "OK."

11. Merge cells within the table by highlighting the cells that you want to merge. Right click on the highlighted cells and select "Merge Cells" or, choose "Merge Cells" from the "Table" menu on the toolbar.

12. Split cells in the table by clicking in the cell. Right click and choose "Split Cells." Choose the number of columns and rows that you want to split the cell into. Click "OK." This can also be done by choosing "Split Cells" from the "Table" menu.

13. Format the table by right clicking on the table and choosing "Borders and Shading." The tools in this box will allow you to change the color and types of lines of the table.

14. Insert or delete rows or columns into the table by first clicking in the cell where you want to add or delete rows or columns. Go to "Table" and choose one of the options under the "Insert" or "Delete" menu depending on which cells you want to add or delete.

15. Click in the table's cells to enter data onto the table.