Tables are used to display data and there are several ways to build them in Word. Begin by placing the cursor where you want the table to appear in the document and choosing one of the following methods.

Insert Table Button

There are two main methods of inserting tables in Word.

1. Press the Table button in the Tables group of the Insert tab. You can define the dimensions of your table by dragging the mouse the appropriate number of cells.
2. Also under the Table button is the option to Insert Table. This brings up a dialog box that allows you to enter manually how many rows, columns, cell width and other specific details about the table to be inserted.

Drawing a Table

The table can also be drawn in to the document.

1. Press the Table button in the Tables group of the Insert tab.
2. Select Draw Table from the drop down menu.
3. Draw your custom table with your mouse. Boxes make cells and lines make borders.
4. You can also drop in a instant Excel table or any other premade table by selecting the Excel Spreadsheet or the Quick Tables options.

Inserting Rows and Columns

Once you have a table created, two Table Tools tabs will be added. One of these tabs is called Layout. Here you can adjust your table even more. In the Rows and Columns group you can insert rows and columns above, below, left, or right of a select cell, row, or column. Alternatively this can be done with the right-click shortcut menu.

On this tab you can also merge, split, adjust sizes of all the cells and the actual tables with all the tools.

Moving and Resizing a Table

A four-sided move handle and a boxy resize handle will appear on the corners of the table if the mouse is placed over the table. Click and drag the four-ended arrow to move the table and release the mouse button when the table is positioned where you want it. Click and drag the open box handle to resize the table. Change the column widths and row heights by clicking on the cell dividers and dragging them with the mouse.

Borders

On the Design tab there are many options that allow you to manipulate the shape and appearance of your table.

Table Styles

This group allow you to change the overall appearance of the table. Here is where you can show borders, hide borders, show only specific borders, and change colors and shades. By default you are given some styles that differ in the shading color. By selecting the arrows next to the Shading and Border buttons, you can customize more styles of your own.

Draw Borders

This group is where you can change the border properties of height, width, weight or thickness, color, and style. You can also draw more borders and tables as well as erase them with the tools in this group.

Table Properties

Use the Table Properties dialog box to modify the alignment of the table with the body text and the text within the table. To access the dialog box:

1. Select the table you want to edit.
2. Go to the Table group in on the Layout tab.
3. Click the Properties button.

Once you've opened up the Table Properties dialog box, you can edit the following options for the Table, Rows, Columns, and Cells:

• Size - Check the Preferred width box and enter a value if the table should be an exact width.
• Alignment - Click on the icon that represents the alignment of the table in relation to the text of the document.
• Text wrapping - Click on "None" if the table should appear on a separate line from the text or choose "Around" if the text should wrap around the table.
• Borders and Shading - Select from a number of border styles, colors, and widths. Click the Shading tab to change the background color and pattern.
• Options - The options allow you to set defaults for all the different elements.