Creating a Simple Table

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Word gives you several different ways to create a table, and a full set of tools to use after the creation is done. Table 18-1 describes the various options for table creation. The easiest way to create a simple table is to use the Insert Table button on the Standard toolbar. Here are the steps:

1. Place the insertion point where you want to create the table in your document.
2. Click the Insert Table button on the Standard toolbar. A drop-down menu displays a grid of rows and columns.
3. Drag the mouse pointer down and to the right until you've highlighted the number of rows and columns you want to create. (See Figure 18-1.)

   

   Figure 18-1. Select the number of rows and columns by highlighting them in the Insert Table drop-down menu.

4. When you have highlighted the number of cells you want to create, release the mouse button. The resulting table is placed at the insertion point. (See Figure 18-2.)

   

   Figure 18-2. The table created with the Insert Table button on the Standard toolbar is uniform in size and shape.

Table 18-1. Comparing Table Creation Approaches

Method	Description	Use
Insert Table	Displays a drop- down menu so that you can choose the number of rows and columns	You want to enter a simple table that spans the width of the current column.
Choose Table, Draw Table or click the Tables And Borders Toolbar button on the Standard toolbar	Gives you a drawing tool with which you can draw the table, including rows and columns, on the page	You want to draw a table "freehand" and create a table of a table of a particular size, customizing row and column widths and heights.
Choose Table, Insert, Table	Displays the Insert Table dialog box so that you can enter specific table values	You want to create a table to a particular specification, including the number of rows and columns and the fit of table entries.

Drawing a Table Freehand

If you prefer to draw tables as you go rather than relying on menus and tools, you can choose Table, Draw Table or click the Table And Borders button on the Standard toolbar. This tool enables you to take an electronic pencil of sorts and draw the table the way you want it. You can also add lines for rows and columns and make editing changes while you work.

Tip - Create special table effects easily

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Using Word's Draw Table feature, you can create uneven rows and columns, remove line segments in areas of your table you want to open up, and control borders and shading, all with the click of the mouse.

To draw a table in your Word document, follow these steps:

1. Place the insertion point where you want to create the table.
2. Click the Tables And Borders button. The pointer changes to a pencil tool and the Tables And Borders toolbar appears. Table 18-2 describes the various tools on this toolbar.
3. Drag the pointer down and to the right to draw the table. You can create the table to the exact size and specification you want, using the horizontal and vertical rulers as a guide, or you can later resize the table by dragging a corner. Release the mouse button when you're finished.

   Tip - Wrap text automatically

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   If you want to create a table in the middle of a text section and have the text automatically wrap around it, press Ctrl while you draw the table.

4. Use the mouse pointer to draw rows and columns. Word adds the straight line as you draw. Figure 18-3 shows a table created with the Draw Table tool. Both rows and columns have been added.

Tip - Use the eraser

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If you don't want a segment of a line to extend all the way across the table (you might want to underline only the totals columns in a table, for example), you can erase the pieces of the line you don't want. Simply click the Eraser button and click the line segment you want to erase.

Table 18-2. Buttons on the Tables And Borders Toolbar

Button	Name	Description
	Draw Table	Enables you to draw a table freehand
	Eraser	Erases line segments you don't want
	Line Style	Displays choices for the style of the table border line
	Line Weight	Sets the width of the border line
	Border Color	Displays choices for the color of the border line
	Outside Border	Enables you to choose whether (and how) you want to border the table
	Shading Color	Displays shade color choices for selected cells
	Insert Table	Displays the Insert Table dialog box
	Merge Cells	Merges cells together in a specified segment
	Split Cells	Splits selected cell into individual cells
	Cell Alignment	Lets you choose the alignment for data in cell entries
	Distribute Rows Evenly	Arranges data evenly within a row
	Distribute Columns Evenly	Arranges data evenly within a column
	Table AutoFormat	Displays the Table AutoFormat dialog box so that you can choose a predesigned table format or create your own
	Change Text Direction	Rotates text in the selected cell
	Sort Ascending	Sorts selected cells in ascending (A to Z) order
	Sort Descending	Sorts selected cells in descending (Z to A) order
	AutoSum	Totals the values in the cells in the corresponding row or column and places the result in the current cell

Figure 18-3. You can draw a table at any point in your document using the Draw Table tool.

Tip - Move or delete a line

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If you don't like where you just drew a line in your table, you have one of two options: You can press Ctrl+Z to delete the line, or you can close the Tables And Borders toolbar and position the text cursor over the line. The pointer changes to a double-headed arrow. You can now click the line and drag it to where you wanted it in the first place.

Setting Rows and Columns

If drawing a table freehand is too free-wheeling an approach for you, you can use the Insert Table dialog box to set up the table the way you want it. Use this method when you want to create a table to precise dimensions, with a set number of rows and columns. Follow these steps:

1. Place the insertion point where you want to begin the table.
2. Choose Table, Insert, Table. The Insert Table dialog box appears, as Figure 18-4 shows.
3. Enter the number of columns and rows you want to create in the table.
4. Choose the AutoFit Behavior option that best suits your needs.

You can apply a predesigned style to your table by using Table AutoFormat. For more information see "Producing a Finished Table with AutoFormat."

Figure 18-4. The Insert Table dialog box enables you to plan the table first by choosing the number of columns and rows, the fit behavior, and the predesigned format used, if any.

Tip - Apply table dimensions across the board

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If you want Word to apply the table selections you make in the Insert Table dialog box to other new tables you create in the current document, select the Remember Dimensions For New Tables check box.