How to Make Rows & Columns in Word Documents

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

The default scenario for typing into a Microsoft Word document is one big block of text, running from the left side of the page until word wrap hits it on the right side. While this may be the default, it's not the only way to arrange a Word document. Add rows and columns through Word's table maker option and column design feature, breaking up the text into more readable chunks, or using these design elements to signify lists and other groups of information.

Advertisement

Step 1

Open Microsoft Word. Click the "Page Layout" tab at the top of the work area.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Click the "Columns" button. Click one of the options from the drop-down menu, such as "Three." Note that nothing on the Word working page appears to change since there is no text yet, but the small ruler at the top of the work area is broken into three sections.

Advertisement

Step 3

Type text onto the Word document and notice how text begins to wrap in the first column on the page and, after typing to the bottom of the page, wraps up into the second column and so on.

Step 4

Remove columns by highlighting the text, clicking the "Column" button and selecting "One," which brings you back to the default state.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 5

Add rows to the document the same way as adding a regular table. Click the "Insert" tab. Click the "Table" button directly below the tab. Drag the cursor down the first column of blocks in the drop-down menu to determine the number of rows to add to the document, such as "1 x 5" for five rows.

Step 6

Release the cursor and the rows are added. Click into any row and start typing.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

resources

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...