You can modify a table by adding or deleting rows and columns

Updated: 04/30/2020 by

You can insert a table in a Microsoft Word document to display data in a tabular format. A table is a great way to represent multiple fields of associated data. For example, a list of prices is easier to read when displayed in a table.

Adding a table in Word

1. In Word, place the mouse cursor where you want to add the table.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. Click the Table button and select how many cells, rows, and columns you want the table to display. You can also click Insert Table and enter the number of columns and rows for the inserted table.

Inserting or deleting a row or column

In a Microsoft Word table, you can add or remove a row or column at any time.

Insert a row

1. Move the mouse cursor inside the left edge of a cell in the row where you want to insert a new row. The cursor changes to a small black arrow pointing to the top-right.
2. Using your mouse, right-click to open the pop-up menu, select Insert, then select Insert Rows Above or Insert Rows Below, depending where you want to insert the row.

Insert a column

1. Move the mouse cursor inside the left edge of a cell in the column where you want to insert a new column. The cursor changes to a small black arrow pointing to the top-right.
2. Using your mouse, right-click to open the pop-up menu, select Insert, then select Insert Columns to the Left or Insert Columns to the Right, depending where you want the row inserted.

Delete a row

1. Move the mouse cursor inside the left edge of a cell in the row you want to delete. The cursor changes to a small black arrow pointing to the top-right.
2. Using your mouse, double-click to select the entire row in the table.
3. Right-click with the mouse to open the pop-up menu, and select Delete Rows.

Delete a column

1. Move the mouse cursor inside the top edge of the top-most cell in the column you want to delete. The cursor changes to a small black arrow pointing downward.
2. Using your mouse, click once to select the entire column in the table.
3. Right-click with the mouse to open the pop-up menu, and select Delete Columns.

Moving the table

After the table is added to the document, you can move it anywhere else in the document. To move the table, hover your mouse cursor over the table, then click-and-drag the arrows in the top-left corner of the table.

Resizing the table

Once the table is inserted, you can adjust the table's size by moving the mouse to the bottom-right corner of the table until you get a double-headed arrow. Once this arrow is visible, click-and-drag the table in the direction you want the table to expand.

Changing the look of the table

After the table is added to the document, move your cursor to a cell in the table, and click the Design tab. In the Design tab, you can adjust the Header Row, Total Row, and how the rows appear. You can also adjust the overall look of the table by clicking one of the table styles.

Repeat header row of the table on each page

If the table spans more than one page, you may want to have the header row displayed on each additional page the table spans across. You can make the header row visible on each page by following the steps below.

1. Right-click the header row of the table and select Properties in the pop-up menu.
2. In the Table Properties window, click the Row tab.
3. Check the box for the Repeat as header row at the top of each page option, and click OK.

Deleting a table

If you want to delete a table from a Word document, follow the steps below.

1. Move your mouse cursor over the table you want to delete.
2. At the upper-left corner of the table, a small square with the move icon
   inside it should be seen. Move your mouse cursor over that icon and click it to select the entire table.

1. Right-click anywhere in the table and select Delete Table in the pop-up menu.