11/9/22, 10:31 AM Word 2010: Working with Tables

Word 2010
Working with Tables

Introduction
A table is a grid of cells arranged in rows and columns.
Tables can be customized and are useful for various
tasks such as presenting text information and numerical
data.

In this lesson, you will learn how to convert text to a

table, apply table styles, format tables, and create
blank tables.

Inserting and modifying tables

In Word, tables are useful for organizing and presenting data. You can create a blank
table, convert text to a table, and apply a variety of styles and formats to existing
tables.

Word 2010: Inserting Tables

Optional: You can download this example for extra practice.

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11/9/22, 10:31 AM Word 2010: Working with Tables

To insert a blank table:

1 Place your insertion point in the document where you want the table to
appear.

2 Select the Insert tab.

3 Click the Table command.

4 Hover your mouse over the diagram squares to select the number of
columns and rows in the table.

5 Click your mouse, and the table appears in the document.

6 You can now place the insertion point anywhere in the table to add text.

To convert existing text to a table:

1 Select the text you want to convert.

2 Select the Insert tab.

3 Click the Table command.

4 Select Convert Text to Table from the menu. A dialog box will appear.

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11/9/22, 10:31 AM Word 2010: Working with Tables

5 Choose one of the options in the Separate text at: section. This is how
Word knows what text to put in each column.

6 Click OK. The text appears in a table.

To add a row above an existing row:

1 Place the insertion point in a row below the location where you want to
add a row.

2 Right-click the mouse. A menu appears.

3 Select Insert
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11/9/22, 10:31 AM Word 2010: Working with Tables

Insert Rows Above.

4 A new row appears above the insertion point.

You can also add rows below the insertion point. Follow the same steps, but
select Insert Rows Below from the menu.

To add a column:
1 Place the insertion point in a column adjacent to the location where you
want the new column to appear.

2 Right-click the mouse. A menu will appear.

3 Select Insert

Insert Columns to the Left or Insert Columns to the Right. A new column
appears.

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11/9/22, 10:31 AM Word 2010: Working with Tables

To delete a row or column:

1 Select the row or column.

2 Right-click your mouse. A menu will appear.

3 Select Delete Cells.

4 Select Delete entire row or Delete entire column, then click OK.

To apply a table style:

1 Click anywhere on the table. The Design tab will appear on the Ribbon.

2 Select the Design tab and locate the Table Styles.

3 Click the More drop-down arrow to see all of the table styles.

4 Hover the mouse over the various styles to see a live preview.

5 Select the desired style. The table style will appear in the document.

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11/9/22, 10:31 AM Word 2010: Working with Tables

To change table style options:

Once you've chosen a table style, you can turn various options on or off to change the
appearance of the table. There are six options: Header Row, Total Row, Banded Rows,
First Column, Last Column, and Banded Columns.

1 Click anywhere on the table. The Design tab will appear.

2 From the Design tab, check or uncheck the desired options in the Table
Style Options group.

Depending on which table style you're using, certain table style options
may have a somewhat different effect. You may need to experiment to get
the exact look you want.

To add borders to a table:

1 Select the cells you want to add a border to.

2 From the Design tab, select the desired Line Style, Line Weight, and Pen
Color.

3 Click the Borders drop-down arrow.

4 From the drop-down menu, select the desired border type.

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5 The border will be added to the selected cells.

Modifying a table using the Layout

tab
When you select a table in Word 2010, Design and Layout tabs appear under Table
Tools on the Ribbon. Using commands on the Layout tab, you can make a variety of
modifications to the table.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about the different ways
you can modify a table with the Layout tab.

Challenge!
1 Open an existing Word document. If you want, you can use this example.

2 Convert some text into a table. If you are using the example, convert the
text below By Client.

3 Apply a table style, and experiment with the table style options. If you are
using the example, see if you can make the table match the By Salesperson
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table above it.

4 Delete a row from the table.

5 Insert a blank table with five rows and four columns.

6 Add borders to the blank table.

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