Using Word Advanced Features

Tables

You can create tables to enhance the presentation of data, to create side-by-side paragraphs, and to organize information used in form letter.

Inserting a table

To insert a table into your document, place the insertion point where you want to insert the table. You can create tables by using the Table button on the Standard toolbar, or by using the Table, Insert Table command.

When you use the Table button to create tables, you click or drag on the Table button grid to specify the number of columns and rows. Word creates a table that fills the area inside the margins. The width of the columns adjusts automatically according to the amount of space available.

To create a table from scratch

1. Click on the insert table button   
2. Click and drag to select the desired number of columns
3. It is not necessary to determine the number of rows at this time

Table structure

A Table consists of vertical columns and horizontal rows. The intersection of a column and a row is called a cell. Dotted lines, called gridlines, are displayed between the cells. You can hide the gridlines by choosing Table, Gridlines. Dotted lines called column boundaries are displayed between the columns. The gridlines and column boundaries do not appear when you print the document.

If you are displaying non printing characters, then the end-of-cell marks appear within each cell and end-of-row marks appear at the end of each row. You can use these marks to select and edit the table. Small boxes called table column markers are display on the ruler. You can use these to adjust the width of the columns or use the self adjusting method.

Modifying a table

Changing the column width

To change the column width by dragging the column borders:

1. Point to the column border that you want to move, and wait until the mouse pointer becomes a double-headed arrow.
2. Press and hold the mouse button.
3. Drag the column border to the desired location.
4. Release the mouse button.

To change the column width by using the ruler:

1. On the ruler, point to the column marker that you want to move.
2. Press and hold the mouse button.
3. Drag the column marker to the desired location.
4. Release the mouse button.

To change column width by using the Table, Cell Height and With command:

1. Select the desired column (or entire table).
2. Choose Table, Cell Height and Width.
3. Display the Column tab.
4. Type the desired width in the Width of Column text box.
5. Click on OK.

Note:
Before you print a document with a table, make sure that the entire table fits on the page.

Entering text and moving in a table

To enter text in a table, place the insertion point in a cell; then begin typing.

Moving in a table

When you use the tab key to move, the contents of the cell are selected. You can also use the mouse to move with in a table. Place the I-beam in a cell and click the mouse button.

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