1. What is a Table?

Lesson: MS Word Tables & Columns

A table in MS Word is a grid made up of rows and columns.

Rows run horizontally
Columns run vertically
Where a row and column meet is called a cell

Tables are used to organize information neatly, like lists, schedules, or data.

2. How to Insert a Table

To insert a table in MS Word:

Go to the Insert tab
Click Table
Choose the number of rows and columns

Shortcut method:

Use Insert → Table

3. Working with Tables

Adding Rows

Press Tab in the last cell to create a new row

Selecting a Table

Press Ctrl + A inside the table

Moving Between Cells

Press Tab to move forward

4. Table Tools

When you click inside a table, a new tab appears:

Table Tools

This includes:

Table Design (for styles, borders, shading)
Layout (for rows, columns, merging, etc.)

5. Formatting Tables

Merging Cells

Combine multiple cells into one using Merge Cells

Splitting Cells

Divide a cell into smaller cells using Split Cells

Adjusting Column Width

Drag the column borders manually

AutoFit

Automatically adjusts table size:
- AutoFit to Contents
- AutoFit to Window

6. Table Design Features

Borders

Add or change lines around cells

Shading

Change the background color of a cell

Table Styles

Apply pre-designed styles using Table Design

7. Managing Tables

Delete Table

Removes the entire table (not just borders)

Split Table

Break one table into two separate tables

Convert Text to Table

Turns text into a table format

8. Columns in MS Word (Text Columns)

Columns are used to divide text into vertical sections (like a newspaper).

Creating Columns

Go to the Layout tab
Click Columns

Default Columns

A Word document starts with 1 column

Column Options

Equal width columns
Custom column widths

9. Column Breaks

What is a Column Break?

Moves text to the next column

How to Insert

Go to Layout → Breaks → Column

10. Important Features to Remember

Distribute Columns → Makes columns equal width
Maximum columns in a table → 63
Column break → Moves text, not deletes it
AutoFit → Adjusts table automatically