Working with tables in word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs allows

you to organize and present data effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to inserting,
formatting, and customizing tables in these programs.

1. Inserting Tables in Word Processing

Microsoft Word:

1. Insert a Table:
o Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
o Click Table, and you’ll see a grid where you can choose the number of rows and
columns.
o Alternatively, click Insert Table for more options (e.g., specifying the number of
rows and columns manually).
2. Draw a Table:
o If you need a custom-shaped table, you can use Draw Table from the same
Insert tab.
o Click Draw Table, then drag your cursor to draw the table and its cells manually.

Google Docs:

1. Insert a Table:
o Go to Insert > Table.
o Select the number of rows and columns by hovering over the grid and clicking
when the size you want is highlighted.

2. Adding and Modifying Table Content

Entering Data:

 Click inside any table cell and begin typing to enter text, numbers, or other content.
 You can move between cells using the Tab key, or click to select a specific cell.

Adding Rows or Columns:

 Microsoft Word:
o To add a row or column, right-click inside a cell.
o Select Insert and choose to insert Rows Above, Rows Below, Columns to the
Left, or Columns to the Right.
 Google Docs:
 o Right-click inside a cell, and choose to Insert row above, Insert row below,
Insert column left, or Insert column right.

Deleting Rows or Columns:

 Microsoft Word: Right-click on the row or column, select Delete, and choose to delete
the entire Row, Column, or the entire Table.
 Google Docs: Right-click on the row or column, and choose to Delete row or Delete
column.

3. Formatting Tables

Adjusting Column Width and Row Height:

 Microsoft Word:
o To change the width of a column or the height of a row, hover your mouse over
the edge of the cell until a double-sided arrow appears.
o Drag to adjust the width or height.
o Alternatively, right-click a cell, and choose Table Properties to set precise
measurements for rows and columns.
 Google Docs:
o Hover over the column or row border until the resize arrow appears.
o Drag the border to adjust size.
o For precise adjustments, right-click inside a cell, select Table properties, and
manually input the dimensions.

Merging Cells:

 Microsoft Word:
o Select multiple adjacent cells.
o Right-click, then select Merge Cells to combine them into one larger cell.
 Google Docs:
o Select the cells you want to merge.
o Right-click, and choose Merge cells.

Splitting Cells:

 Microsoft Word:
o Right-click a cell and choose Split Cells.
o Specify how many rows or columns you want to divide the cell into.
 Google Docs:
 o Splitting cells is not available in Google Docs. You would need to manually adjust
by deleting and inserting rows or columns.

Changing Table Borders:

 Microsoft Word:
o Click inside the table, go to the Table Design tab, and choose Borders.
o You can customize the thickness, color, and style of the borders.
 Google Docs:
o Right-click the table, select Table properties, and use the Table border option to
adjust the thickness and color.

Changing Cell Background Color:

 Microsoft Word:
o Select the cell or group of cells you want to change.
o Go to the Table Design tab, and click Shading. Select a color from the dropdown.
 Google Docs:
o Right-click on the cell(s) you want to change.
o Select Table properties and choose a background color from the Cell
background color option.

Aligning Text in Cells:

 Microsoft Word:
o Select the text within the cell(s).
o In the Layout tab, use the Alignment options (e.g., Top Left, Center, Bottom
Right) to position the text.
 Google Docs:
o Right-click inside a cell, select Table properties, and adjust the Cell vertical
alignment.
o Use the regular toolbar buttons to align the text horizontally (left, center, right).

4. Advanced Table Customizations

Table Styles (Microsoft Word Only):

1. Apply Table Styles:

o Click anywhere in the table.
o Go to the Table Design tab, and select from a range of pre-designed table styles
in the Table Styles gallery. These styles automatically format the table’s borders,
colors, and shading.
 2. Customizing Table Styles:
o You can further customize your table style by modifying specific elements like
the Header Row, Banded Rows, and Total Row.

Sorting Table Data (Microsoft Word Only):

1. Sort Data:
o Highlight the column you want to sort.
o Go to the Layout tab, then click Sort.
o Choose to sort by ascending or descending order and define the sorting type
(e.g., Text, Numbers, Dates).

AutoFit Table (Microsoft Word Only):

1. AutoFit:
o Select the table, go to the Layout tab.
o Click AutoFit and choose one of the following:
 AutoFit Contents: Adjusts the column width to fit the content.
 AutoFit Window: Adjusts the table width to fit the page or window size.
 Fixed Column Width: Keeps the column width constant.

5. Converting Text to a Table and Vice Versa

Converting Text to a Table:

 Microsoft Word:
o Highlight the text you want to convert into a table (make sure it’s separated by
tabs or commas for each column).
o Go to the Insert tab, and click Table > Convert Text to Table.
o Define how many columns and rows should be created based on the delimiters
(e.g., Tabs, Commas, Paragraph marks).
 Google Docs:
o Google Docs does not have a direct feature to convert text to a table, so you
would need to manually create the table and paste your text.

Converting a Table to Text (Microsoft Word Only):

 Select the table.

 Go to the Layout tab, and click Convert to Text.
 Choose a delimiter (commas, tabs, or other separators) for how the table contents will
be separated in the plain text.
6. Table Accessibility Features

Adding a Table Caption (Microsoft Word Only):

 Right-click on the table and select Insert Caption.

 Add a title or label for the table, which can be useful for references or creating a table of
contents.

Adding Alt Text:

 Microsoft Word:
o Right-click the table, select Table Properties, and go to the Alt Text tab.
o Enter a description to improve accessibility for screen readers.
 Google Docs:
o Right-click the table, select Table properties, and go to the Alt text section to
add a description.