How to Insert a Table in Microsoft Word

Organize, display, and format information with this handy feature

By
Rebecca Johnson
Rebecca Johnson
Freelance Contributor
Rebecca Johnson is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a Microsoft Office Certified Master Instructor who specializes in Microsoft Office products.
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Updated on February 4, 2022

What to Know

  • Select the Insert tab > Table > drag over the cells to select the desired number of columns and rows.
  • For a large table, go to Insert > Table > Insert Table, select the number of columns and rows, and choose AutoFit to Window.

This article explains how to insert and modify a table in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010.

Insert a Small Table

A table consists of rows and columns of cells where you place text. Using the simplest method to insert a table in Word, you may create a table consisting of up to 10 columns and 8 rows.

  1. Place the cursor where you want the table to appear.

  2. Go to Insert.

    Microsoft Word with the Insert heading highlighted

  3. In the Tables group, select Table, then drag over the cells to select the desired number of columns and rows.

    Insert menu in Microsoft Word with the Table option highlighted

  4. A table is inserted into the Word document with evenly spaced columns and rows, and the Table Design tab is displayed. Place the cursor in any cell to type text into it. Use the commands on the Table Design tab to format the table.

    Microsoft Word with the Table Design heading highlighted

Insert a Larger Table

You aren’t limited to inserting a 10 x 8 table. You can insert larger tables into a document.

  1. Place the cursor where you want the table to appear.

  2. Go to Insert.

    Microsoft Word with the Insert heading highlighted

  3. In the Tables group, select Table, then choose Insert Table.

    Microsoft Word with the Insert Table option highlighted

  4. In the Insert Table dialog box, select the number of columns and rows you want.

    Insert Table box with the column and row settings highlighted

  5. In the AutoFit behavior section, select AutoFit to window.

    Insert Table box in Microsoft Word with the Autofit to Window option highlighted

  6. Select OK.

    Insert Table box in Microsoft Word with the OK button highlighted

  7. A table is inserted into the Word document with evenly spaced columns and rows, and the Table Design tab is displayed. Place the cursor in any cell to type text into it. Use the commands on the Table Design tab to format the table.

    Microsoft Word with the Table Design heading highlighted

Insert a Quick Table

Microsoft Word has many built-in table styles, including calendars, a tabular-styled table, a double table, a matrix, and a table with subheadings. When you insert a Quick Table, Word creates and formats the table automatically.

  1. Place the cursor where you want the table to appear.

  2. Go to Insert.

    Microsoft Word with the Insert heading highlighted

  3. In the Tables group, select Table.

    Microsoft Word with the Table option highlighted

  4. Select Quick Tables, then choose a table style.

    Microsoft Word with the Quick Tables option highlighted

  5. A pre-formatted table is inserted into the Word document, and the Table Design tab is displayed. Replace the text with your content. Use the commands on the Table Design tab to format the table.

    MS Word document with new Quick Table inserted
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