Table Formatting In Microsoft word

Table formatting in Microsoft word

 To format a table in Microsoft Word, you can use the options on the "Layout" tab in the ribbon, which appears when a table is selected. Here are some of the options you can use to format your table:

1.  "Borders and Shading": Allows you to customize the borders and background color of the table.

2.  "Cell Size": Allows you to adjust the width and height of the cells in the table.

3.  "Alignment": Allows you to align the text within the cells of the table.

4.  "Rows & Columns": Allows you to insert or delete rows and columns in the table.

5.  "Merge cells": Allows you to combine two or more cells into one cell.

6.  "Table Styles": Allows you to choose a pre-designed table format from a gallery.

7.  "Table Design": Allows you to change the look of the table by applying various styles, colors, and effects.

Additionally, you can also use the right-click options to format the table cells, rows and columns.

 ·  Using the mouse: Move the mouse over the table until you see the table selection icons in the upper-left corner of the table and click it:

·                       Using the keyboard: To select table elements, on the Table Layout tab, on the Table group, click the Select button, then select the option you prefer:

                                      Select Cell    Select Column     Select Row      Select Table

Format the table

After positioning the cursor anywhere in a table or selecting a table element, Word shows two tabs: Table Design and Layout. E.g.:

There are several predefined styles you can use for the table. Styles include a variety of borders, colors, and other attributes that give a table a very professional appearance.

To choose any of the predefined styles, do the following:

   1.   Select the table.

   2.   On the Table Design tab, in the Table Styles group, in the Styles Gallery, click the More arrow to see the complete list of styles:

   3.   Select the table style you want:

 The Table Styles gallery includes three categories of styles:

Plain Tables have minimal formatting.

Grid Tables include vertical separators between columns.

List Tables do not include vertical column separators:

Note: The selected style overrides any previously added style changes for the table.

 Modify the table style options

To change the table or selected style, on the Table Design tab, in the Table Style group, click Modify Table Style...:

In the Modify Style dialog box, make changes you want:

There are several predefined styles you can use for the table. Styles include a variety of borders, colors, and other attributes that give a table a very professional appearance.

To choose any of the predefined styles, do the following:

   1.   Select the table.

   2.   On the Table Design tab, in the Table Styles group, in the Styles Gallery, click the More arrow to see the complete list of styles:

Select the table style you want:

The Table Styles gallery includes three categories of styles:

Plain Tables have minimal formatting.

Grid Tables include vertical separators between columns.

List Tables do not include vertical column separators:

Note: The selected style overrides any previously added style changes for the table.

Modify the table style options

To change the table or selected style, on the Table Design tab, in the Table Style group, click Modify Table Style...:

In the Modify Style dialog box, make changes you want:

Note: Click the Format button at the bottom of the dialog box to change other options such as Font or Paragraph. See also how to clear formatting.

After applying a table style, you can turn various options on or off to change their appearance. On the Table Design tab, in the Table Style Options group, there are six options:

Header Row is the first row of the table that contains Headers that helps identify the contents of a particular column. Usually, the Header Row is formatted differently and should be repeated at the beginning of each new page for tables that extend beyond one page.

Note: According to most requirements, data tables should have a header row to provide a contextual structure that aids navigation.

Total Row is the last row of the table. If this option is selected, the last row will be formatted differently from the body rows, designed to summarize the rows above it (see how to insert formulas).

First Column used special formatting to the column. Usually, the First Column contains the row headings.

Last Column applies special formatting to the column to summarize the earlier columns (see how to insert formulas).

Banded Rows and Banded Columns alternate the background color of rows and columns (see how to change the background color for the selected cells below).

Note: Certain Table Style Options may have a different effect depending on the Table Style you've chosen. You might need to experiment to get the look you want.

Apply the border styles

To apply and remove cell borders, do the following:

   1.   Select the cells or entire table to which you want to add a border.

   2.   On the Table Design tab, in the Borders group, choose the desired Border Styles, Line Style, Line Weight, and Pen Color:

Select the predefined Line Style, Line Weight, and Line Color from the Border Styles dropdown list

Select the Line Style:

Select a border thickness from the Line Weight dropdown list:

Select the border color from the Pen Color dropdown list:

Select the borders from the Borders dropdown list:

Note: Select No Borders from the Borders dropdown list to remove borders from the selected cells.

Draw the border where you want:

After selecting border style or color, the Border Painter button is automatically checked, or

If all that you want is selected already, just click the Border Painter button by yourself:

After any of these actions, your cursor changes to the brush. Now, draw the border where you need it:

Note: Use the Eraser button in the Draw group on the Table Layout tab to remove the 

To change the background color for some table elements, select them, then on the Table Design tab, in the Table Styles group, click the Shading button, then select the background color you prefer:

Note: To use a pattern instead of a solid color, on the Table Design tab, in the Borders group, click the dialog box launcher:

In the Borders and Shading dialog box, on the Shading tab, select a pattern in the Style list