Microsoft Office Word- the Table Tool and Creating, Customizing, Decorating a table

Microsoft Office Word- the Table Tool and Creating, Customizing, Decorating a table - While working on Microsoft office word, the tables are essential part of the work. Sometimes we need to add shadings to specific cells. Entire row, entire column or the entire table. We can add shading in different colors. Separate color in each cell, separate color in each column or separate color in each row. A table with proper shading look very attractive and sometimes it becomes basic need of the table. For example while we prepare a table of lab test results of inward patients in a hospital, we need to attract the attention of the doctor where the test results are abnormal and display it in the red color. The simple process of preparing a shaded table is given below –

Microsoft Office Word- the Table Tool and Creating, Customizing, Decorating 

To decorate table or add shading to it first we need a table so let us create a table first.

How to create a table in Microsoft Office word

Preparing a table in Microsoft office is very easy. Just think and decide how many columns and rows we need, for example we want to prepare the following table in respect of inward patients. We need 7 columns and 5 Rows plus one Heading Row, we can prepare the table as follows-

Click ‘insert’, the table menu will appear as shown in the image below -

Microsoft Office Word Insert option 

and then click ‘table’ a screen will open like this

Microsoft Office Word Table creation option

Now click ‘insert table’ the screen will appear like this-

 Microsoft Office Word table column and row option

This screen is asking how many columns and rows we need. Please fill ‘7’ in column box and ‘6’ and click. ‘OK’. The table will appear like this.( You may choose any number of columns or rows ad per your need)

SN	Name of patient	Time	Temperature	BP	HB	Blood Sugar
1	Ram Swaroop	0.800	98.04OF	85/120	13.20	85/130
2	Carlose Cleetus	0.800	99.02OF	120/240	12.70	150/265
3	Mohammed Usman	0.800	101.07OF	80/125	8.60	85/130
4	Sardowitch josiowaski	0.800	98.14OF	140/260	12.11	145/255
5	Kartar Singh	0.800	102.04OF	90/130	9.40	85/130

Adjusting the width of the columns of a Microsoft office word table

While we create a table following the above procedure the table will appear with all columns of equal width but we need the column width as per our need. We can do this manually. Hover the cursor anywhere over the vertical line, it will convert into a cross. Now drag the vertical line and drop it where you want. Adjust the width of all the columns the same way one by one. Now your table is ready. Now fill the text into it.

Alignment and decoration of text in side the Microsoft office word table

To align the text inside the table simply select the cell, column or row and click the text alignment icon of Microsoft office word. The text will be aligned. The same way you can make the text bold, italic or underlined.

Removing a column or row of a Microsoft office word table

If you want to delete a column or row right click anywhere in the column or to be deleted, the following screen will appear-

Microsoft Office Word table multiple option

Now click “Delete Cells”, now the following screen will appear

 Word delete column or row option

Now choose option to delete the column or row and click ‘OK’, your chosen row or column will be deleted.

Shading and highlighting cells, columns an rows of a Microsoft office word table

Now we want to decorate the table as under-

Orange shading in Heading

Green shading in rest of the table

Red shading where special attention is required. As the test reports some of the patients are abnormal so we want to highlight in red for special attention of the doctor.

Now click any where in side the table. The “Table Tools” will appear on the Microsoft word screen like this-

Microsoft Office Word table tools

Now click “Design”, the following screen with shading color options will appear –

Microsoft Office Word- the Table Tool Design option

Now select the heading row and click “Shading”. The color option screen will appear like this-

 Microsoft Office Word table tools design option

Now choose the color of your choice and the shading will be applied to the selected cell, row or column. If the color of your choice is not there you can click “More colors…” the next color screen will appear. Here you can choose a color or even give the ‘RGB’ values. Apply the shading one by one to the area you wish. Now your table will look like this -

SN	Name of patient	Time	Temperature	BP	HB	Blood Sugar
1	Ram Swaroop	0.800	98.04OF	85/120	13.20	85/130
2	Carlose Cleetus	0.800	99.02OF	120/240	12.70	150/265
3	Mohammed Usman	0.800	101.07OF	80/125	8.60	85/130
4	Sardowitch josiowaski	0.800	98.14OF	140/260	12.11	145/255
5	Kartar Singh	0.800	102.04OF	90/130	9.40	85/130

To select a row use the normal procedure of Microsoft Office Word.

To select a column, take the cursor above the top horizontal line of the column, a small black arrow pointing down will appear. When you click, the entire column below it will be selected.

To select a cell take the cursor near the left wall of the cell, a small black arrow pointing right will appear. When you click, the cell will be selected.