Manipulating Tables in Microsoft Word
Creating, Modifying, and Calculating in Tables in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a versatile graphical word processing program that allows users to type and save documents, and it also offers the capability to create and manipulate tables. Here's a guide on how to create tables, modify them, and perform calculations within Word.
Creating Tables
You can create tables in Microsoft Word using two methods:
- Using the Grid:
- Navigate to the Insert tab.
- Click the Table button.
- Hover over the grid to select the desired number of rows and columns, then click to insert the table.
- Using the Insert Table Dialog Box:
- On the Insert tab, click the Table button.
- Click Insert Table below the grid.
- Specify the number of rows and columns, then click OK to create the table.
Modifying Tables
To modify tables in Word, you can:
- Adjust row height and column width by dragging cell borders or using options under the Layout tab that appears when the table is selected.
- Merge or split cells to reorganize data layout.
- Format the table with borders, shading, and alignment via the Design tab under Table Tools.
Performing Calculations
To perform calculations within tables in Word:
- Select the cell for the result.
- Go to the Layout tab under Table Tools and click Formula.
- Use pre-defined functions like to sum numbers above the current cell or create custom formulas referencing cells by bookmarks or cell notation (e.g., ).
- Press OK to show the calculation.
Word also allows the insertion of field codes for custom calculations and manual or VBA macro updates if automation is needed.
Additional Features
- Images can be inserted in a table cell in Word by selecting the cell, going to the Insert tab, and selecting the Pictures button.
- By default, the sum of the values lying in the rows to the left or column lying above are calculated by Word.
- Tables can also be used to create page layouts.
In summary:
| Task | Process | |-------|---------| | Create table | Insert → Table → Grid selection or Insert Table dialog, specify rows/columns | | Modify table | Select table → Layout tab to resize/change cells, merge/split cells, Design tab for styling | | Calculate in table | Select target cell → Layout tab → Formula → Use functions like or custom formulas |
These steps work in current Microsoft Word versions (2016, 2019, 2021, Microsoft 365).
