Tables in Microsoft Word 2016

Tables in Microsoft Word 2016 are a simple and effective way to organize text and numbers neatly. They are made of rows and columns and help structure your document in a more professional way. Whether you want to list data, compare information, or create layouts, Word’s table tools make it easy and flexible.

What is a Table in Word?

A table is a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each intersection point is called a cell. You can enter text, numbers, or even images inside cells. Word lets you create tables from scratch or convert existing text into one.

Methods to Create a Table

1. Using the Grid

• Place your cursor where you want the table to appear.
• Go to the Insert tab and click Table.
• A small grid will appear. Hover over the boxes to choose your desired rows and columns.
• Click the grid to insert your table instantly.

2. Using “Insert Table” Option

• Go to Insert > Table > Insert Table.
• Enter the number of rows and columns you want in the dialog box.
• Click OK to insert the table.

3. Converting Text to a Table

• Select the text you want to convert.
• Click Insert > Table > Convert Text to Table.
• Choose how your text is separated (tabs, commas, or paragraphs).
• Click OK to create a table from the selected text.

4. Drawing a Table

• Click Insert > Table > Draw Table.
• Use your mouse to draw borders, rows, and columns manually.
• This method is great for creating custom layouts.

Modifying a Table

Adding Rows or Columns

• Hover near the area where you want to add a row or column.
• Click the + sign that appears, or right-click and select Insert options.

Deleting Rows or Columns

• Click inside the row or column you want to remove.
• Right-click and choose Delete Cells.
• Select whether to delete the entire row or column.

Changing Table Styles

• Click anywhere inside the table.
• Go to the Design tab.
• Click the More arrow in the Table Styles section.
• Choose a style to instantly change colors, fonts, and borders.

Modifying Table Style Options

You can customize table appearance by toggling these options in the Design tab:

• Header Row
• Total Row
• Banded Rows
• First or Last Column
• Banded Columns

Adding Borders

• Select the cells you want to add borders to.
• Choose Line Style, Line Weight, and Pen Color in the Design tab.
• Click the Borders drop-down and select your preferred border type.

Using the Layout Tab

When you select a table, the Layout tab appears. It helps adjust size, alignment, and structure.

• Change Cell Size: Enter specific height or width values, or use AutoFit to adjust automatically.
• Insert/Delete Rows and Columns: Quickly manage table structure.
• Merge and Split Cells: Combine or divide cells to create custom layouts.
• Align Text: Control the position of text inside each cell (top, center, or bottom).
• Change Text Direction: Rotate text vertically for style or space-saving.

Why Use Tables?

Tables make your document organized and easy to read. They’re perfect for schedules, invoices, comparison charts, and structured data. With Word 2016, you can design them beautifully with just a few clicks.

5 FAQs of Tables in Microsoft Word 2016

Conclusion

Tables in Microsoft Word 2016 make it easy to organize and present information in a clean and structured way. You can insert, edit, and style them to suit any document layout. Once you get comfortable with the table tools, you’ll find them useful for professional documents, academic work, and reports alike.