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Table Basics in Word 2007

Tables

• provide a layout tool
• they are labels
• they can hold data for label, envelope or letter merges.

Table Parts

Tables are made up of columns, rows and cells. To the top left of every table is a plus-sign to use for selecting or moving an entire table. The table parts are outlined by gridlines or borders. Gridlines are an onscreen reference that can be turned on and off and they do not print out. Borders are optional, customizable lines that follow the gridlines. Borders would show up onscreen or on a printout.

Table Planning

Before you insert a table into your document you should decide how many columns you need. Rows are very easy to add, so don’t worry about how many of those you might need, you can add them while you are typing your information into the table. You could always start a table with two rows: one for headings and one for the first row of data.

For example, if you want a table the will hold name and address information, it would probably have a minimum of five columns (name, street address, city, state, zip). If you wanted a table that would hold a phone number list, it could be two columns (name, phone number). You can add columns and rows to a table once the project is started.

Inserting a Table

To insert a table:

1. Position the cursor where you want the table (the table can be moved later, if needed).
2. On the Insert tab, Tables group, click the Table button.
3. In the pop-out menu, define how many columns and rows you want. If you want five columns and two rows, you’ll point five squares in from the top left, and two squares down. Single-click to insert the table.

Typing in a Table

There’s only a couple things you need to know to type in a table:

• Tab moves from cell to cell.
• When in the last cell in a row, tab will bring you to the first cell in the next row.
• When you are in the last cell in the last row and push tab, a new row is added.
• Only push Enter when you want to start a new line of text in a cell.

Table Tools

Tables are part of the On-Demand features in Word. What that means to you is that Word will show an additional menu that’s only about tables when you have inserted a table and your cursor in anywhere in the table or any part of the table is selected. The Table Tools are where you would go to delete rows, columns, or a table; format tables; change cell alignment; everything to change about tables is in the Table Tools.

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