Steps for creating and working with tables in Microsoft Word

The steps for creating and working with tables in Microsoft Word:

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✅ 1. Insert a Table

• Go to: Insert tab

• Click: Table

  • Choose one of these options:

    • Grid method: Hover over the squares to select rows and columns

    • Insert Table: Manually enter number of rows and columns

    • Draw Table: Manually draw cells using your cursor

    • Convert Text to Table: Use this if you have data separated by tabs/commas

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✅ 2. Enter Data

• Click inside each cell and type your data

• Use Tab key to move to the next cell or create a new row at the end

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✅ 3. Format the Table

• Click inside the table → Table Design and Layout tabs appear

• Table Design allows you to:

  • Apply pre-set table styles

  • Add borders and shading

  • Highlight header rows or alternating row colors

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✅ 4. Adjust Rows and Columns

• Resize: Hover over borders, click and drag

• Distribute Rows/Columns Evenly: Go to Layout tab → choose:

  • Distribute Rows

  • Distribute Columns

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✅ 5. Add or Delete Rows/Columns

• Click in a cell → go to Layout tab → choose:

  • Insert Above / Below (for rows)

  • Insert Left / Right (for columns)

  • Delete → remove rows, columns, or entire table

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✅ 6. Merge or Split Cells

• Merge Cells: Select multiple cells → Layout tab → Merge Cells

• Split Cells: Select a cell → Layout → Split Cells → enter number of rows and columns

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✅ 7. Align Text in Table

• Go to Layout tab → Alignment group

  • Choose top, middle, or bottom alignment

  • Also horizontal alignment (left, center, right)

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✅ 8. Sort Table Data

• Select a column of text

• Go to Layout tab → Sort

  • Choose to sort alphabetically or numerically, ascending or descending

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✅ 9. Convert Table to Text (or vice versa)

• Convert to Text: Select table → Layout tab → Convert to Text

• Convert Text to Table: Select text → Insert tab → Table → Convert Text to Table

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✅ 10. Add Table Caption

• Click the table

• Go to References tab → Insert Caption

• Add a label (e.g., Table 1: Student Scores)