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Formatting Columns and Tables in Word

This document discusses how to create and format tables in Microsoft Word. It provides three main methods: 1. Insert Table - Allows the user to specify the number of columns and rows and formatting options like sizing. 2. Draw Table - Allows drawing the table freehand with a pencil cursor and then modifying the lines. 3. Working with graphics and charts is the topic of the next section.

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Jannella Yam
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
20 views3 pages

Formatting Columns and Tables in Word

This document discusses how to create and format tables in Microsoft Word. It provides three main methods: 1. Insert Table - Allows the user to specify the number of columns and rows and formatting options like sizing. 2. Draw Table - Allows drawing the table freehand with a pencil cursor and then modifying the lines. 3. Working with graphics and charts is the topic of the next section.

Uploaded by

Jannella Yam
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

4.

CREATING AND FORMATTING COLUMNS

1. Select the text you want to format.

2. Select the Page Layout tab, then click


the Columns command. A drop-down menu will
appear.
3. Select the number of columns you want to create.
4. The text will format into columns

5. CREATING AND FORMATTING TABLES


Under the Insert tab, click the Table button. The Insert Table dialog box will open,
showing a basic grid pattern as well as traditional menu options below it. Place your
cursor on the first cell in the grid and slide it down and over until you highlight (for this
example) four columns and five rows, then click once.

Notice that once the table is created, a new option called Table Tools appears on the
Ribbon bar with two new tabs: Design and Layout. See the Layout and Design section
below for details regarding these options.

Insert Table

Click Insert > Tables > Insert Table from the dropdown menu. In the Insert Table dialog
box, enter the number of columns and rows you want in this table (four columns and five
rows). In the AutoFit Behavior panel, select Auto, or click the down arrow to choose a
specific size. You can also choose AutoFit to Contents (produces narrow columns that
expand as you add data) or AutoFit to Window (expands the table to fit the document
size). Check the Remember Dimensions for New Tables box if you want the sizes
you’re entering now to become your defaults for future tables.

Draw Table

Click Insert> Tables > Draw Table. The cursor turns into a pencil, which you drag down
and across to draw a box. Don’t worry about the exact dimensions; you can modify it
any time.

Once the box is created, position the cursor inside the box and draw lines over and
down for the columns and rows (one at a time). Don’t worry about crooked lines,
either—Word straightens them as you draw.

To add or remove columns and/or rows later, click anywhere inside the table, then
select the Design tab under Table Tools. Click the Draw Table button to add or continue
drawing lines with your pencil cursor, or click the Eraserbutton to remove lines with the
eraser cursor. To remove a line, just touch the line with the eraser cursor, and the line
disappears.

6. Working with graphics and chart

Common questions

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To create a table, go to the Insert tab and click on the Table button. In the Insert Table dialog box, enter the desired number of columns and rows (e.g., four columns and five rows). In the AutoFit Behavior panel, select options like 'Auto', which automatically sizes columns; 'AutoFit to Contents', which creates narrow columns that adjust as data is added; or 'AutoFit to Window', which expands the table to fit the document size. These configurations allow the table to be customized for optimal space usage .

The 'AutoFit to Contents' option adjusts column widths to fit the content entered within each cell, ensuring that text and data are neatly contained without excess space. In contrast, the 'AutoFit to Window' option expands the entire table to fit the window width of the document, distributing available space evenly across columns, regardless of the individual content length .

The 'Design' tab in Table Tools typically provides options to style and format the table, such as applying table styles, shading, and borders. The 'Layout' tab offers functionalities related to the positioning and size of table elements, including options to add or delete rows and columns, adjust cell sizes, and manage text alignment within cells. Together, these tabs allow comprehensive customization and enhancement of table presentation .

The Eraser tool enhances flexibility by allowing easy removal of unwanted lines, enabling quick and precise adjustments to table structure without starting over from scratch. It provides users with a non-linear approach to table modification, maximizing creative control and facilitating on-the-fly changes to meet evolving layout requirements .

Selecting the 'Remember Dimensions for New Tables' option allows users to set preferred dimensions as defaults for future tables, streamlining the process of table creation and ensuring consistency in document formatting. This feature can save time by removing the need to repeatedly input the same dimensions for each new table, potentially increasing productivity and document uniformity .

To remember dimension settings for future tables, enter the desired number of columns and rows in the Insert Table dialog box, configure AutoFit settings as preferred, and check the 'Remember Dimensions for New Tables' box before creating the table. This ensures that future tables will default to these settings, streamlining the process of table creation and promoting consistency and efficiency in document preparation .

Formatting text into columns makes it easier for readers to follow the content by reducing scan length across the page, which is especially beneficial for large blocks of text. It enhances the visual appeal of the document, giving it a more organized and professional look, which can improve engagement and comprehension for audiences .

The 'Draw Table' feature lets users manually create tables by turning the cursor into a pencil tool. Users drag the pencil to draw a box for the table, then add lines to create rows and columns. Adjustments are simplified as the software straightens lines automatically. Users can modify dimensions later by clicking inside the table, using the Design tab under Table Tools to draw additional lines or remove them with an eraser tool .

To format text into multiple columns, the user should select the text to be formatted, navigate to the Page Layout tab, and then click on the Columns command. From the drop-down menu, they can choose the number of columns they want. If adjustments are needed after formatting, the user can revisit the Columns command to change the number of columns accordingly .

The automatic straightening of crooked lines enhances the efficiency and precision of manual table creation, reducing the need for meticulous adjusting and enabling users to focus on content rather than form. This feature minimizes frustration and errors, particularly for users who may find drawing precise lines challenging, and contributes to a more streamlined process of table setup .

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