How to Create a Table in Word (2026)
Tables organize data and lay out content in a grid. Word lets you drag to create one, draw a custom one, or turn existing text into a table. Here’s how to build and edit them.
1. Insert a Table (Windows & Mac)
- Go to the Insert tab.
- Click Table.
- Drag across the grid to set the number of rows and columns, then click — or choose Insert Table to type exact dimensions.
Click any cell and type; press Tab to jump to the next cell (Tab in the last cell adds a new row).
2. Insert a Table in Word for the Web
Insert > Table, then drag to choose the size. Basic editing and table styles are available online; some advanced tools live in the desktop app.
3. Add or Delete Rows and Columns
- Add: hover over the left or top edge and click the + that appears, or use the Layout tab > Insert Above/Below/Left/Right.
- Delete: click in a row or column, then Layout > Delete > Rows, Columns, or Table.
4. Merge and Split Cells
- Select the cells to combine.
- On the Layout tab, click Merge Cells.
- To divide one cell, click it and choose Split Cells, then set rows/columns.
5. Apply a Table Style
Click the table, open the Table Design tab, and pick a style from the gallery. Use the Table Style Options checkboxes (Header Row, Banded Rows) to control which formatting shows.
6. Convert Existing Text to a Table
- Separate your data with tabs or commas, one record per line.
- Select it.
- Insert > Table > Convert Text to Table.
- Set the column count and the Separate text at character, then OK.
7. Troubleshooting
My table runs off the page
Click the table, then Layout > AutoFit > AutoFit Window to fit it to the margins.
Tab won’t move me to the next cell
Tab moves between cells in a table; if it’s inserting a tab character instead, you’re outside the table. Click inside a cell.
The table won’t stay where I put it
Right-click > Table Properties > Text Wrapping: None to keep it in line, or Around to float it.
Convert Text to Table makes one big column
Your text isn’t delimited consistently. Make sure each field is separated by the same character (tab or comma).
Related Word guides: How to add columns · How to create a flowchart · How to insert a text box · How to do a mail merge · How to add a table of contents
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