Formatting Text in a Table

Formatting text that is in a table is pretty much the same as formatting any other text object. There are one or two tricks, however, that make this task a little easier. There is even an option to center the text vertically in a cell in addition to the standard center option.

Selecting the Table, Columns , Rows, or Cells

The best shortcut to formatting text in a table is to select the entire column or row you want to format (you can even select multiple columns, rows, or cells or the entire table to format). Table 28.1 lists available selection options.

Table 28.1. Selecting Parts of a PowerPoint Table

Table Part	How to Select
Table	Click in the table and then select Table, Select Table from the Tables and Borders toolbar.
Row	Click in the row and then select Table, Select Row from the Tables and Borders toolbar.
Column	Click in the column and then select Table, Select Column from the Tables and Borders toolbar.
Cell	Click in the cell. To select multiple cells, drag through them using the mouse. Use this method to select multiple rows or columns as well.

1. Select the text, cells, rows, or columns you want to edit.

2. Choose Format, Font from the menu, to display the Font dialog box.

3. Make any changes you want from the Font dialog box.

4. Click the OK button.

You might want to change the alignment of the text in the cells of your table. To change the alignment, use the following steps:

1. Select the cells where you want to change the alignment.

2. Select Format, Alignment to open the Alignment submenu. Choose Align Left, Center, Align Right, or Justify from the menu.

You can also vertically align text in a cell, either at the top, center, or bottom of the cell. The center option frames the text nicely in the cell and gives a much more professional appearance. To vertically align text in a cell, use the following steps:

1. Select the cells where you want to change the alignment.

2. Click either the Align Top, Center Vertically, or Align Bottom button from the Tables and Borders toolbar, as shown in Figure 28.3.

   Figure 28.3. Select a vertical alignment option from the Tables and Borders toolbar.