What are the Styles and Formats of Tables in Word and How to Customize a Table?

When using Word, by default we are going to land on the vertical sheet that we all know, ideal for writing documents with narrative paragraphs … But, is it the only thing we can create in this program? Absolutely not! They can make all kinds of tablesOrganizers, tables and calendars, with cells configurable to the type of information you want to capture.

Using this tool, it will be easier to maintain an outcome and use of visual techniques as necessary for each occasion: Separating data by groups, colors or dates. This can only be achieved by using the tables; reason why we are going to share everything you need to know to start organizing your texts and take advantage of all the offers in Word.

What are Word tables? What are they used for?

This is an option located in the “Insert” section, that is used to represent and organize data or information that has some relation to each other; which cannot be expressed in argumentative texts, but rather in the form of groups that are subdivided into other themes.

An example that explains what the tables are used for are the comparative tables: It is much more practical to represent themes that explain common points; where the arguments in which they coincide or are opposite can be located in each box. A game of colors is even used that makes it easier to associate an idea with a visual element that helps to memorize it.

What are the styles and formats of Word tables?

The styles of the tables, in principle, are the predesigned forms that Word offers, according to the information they are going to address; to facilitate reading and speed up the creation of the table by the producer. So, and despite the fact that they have the same objective in general terms; Each style proposes a different type of table, which changes both in its structure, as in the borders, cells and contours of the columns.

The styles They are located in the “Design” section; which when you click you will see some variants and one called “Table styles”. If your version of Word doesn’t make it easy for you, go to the lightbulb icon that says “What do you want to do?” and write in the search engine the name of the option; There it will appear and when you press you will see all the available boxes.

These are subdivided into several groups: Raw tables, grid tables, and list tables; all different and with subdivisions in the different cells, so you can choose the one that best suits your case. You just have to try and see that which of the styles most closely matches your ultimate goal.

How to customize a Word table?

Modify table style

In the “Design” tab, right next to the styles, there is a box that at the bottom indicates “Table style options”, there you will find a number of alternatives that allow you to adjust the rows; choose the columns; and customize them according to what you are looking for. In case of not finding the option, you go back to the section “What do you want to do?” and you write the old name; There the item will be broken down and by clicking on the search you will be able to access it.

Create a custom table

If instead what you need is set up a personal table from scratch, we will discard the configured designs and we will go to the “Insert” section. There you will see the “Table” section and a small arrow just below the name; which you must press to reveal the options to which you will have access.

Select immediately on the item “Insert table” and you will get an automatic opportunity to decide the amount of rows, columns, width and other important details. Now, and in case you want to exploit all your creativity and decide the format on your own; Instead of the option to insert table, choose “Draw table”: You can create the size of each table with the mouse and do it in your style.