Table Tips (Issue 75) by Tiamari

In a previous WUEC issue (No.72) I was lamenting the so-called “smart” apps and I shared some tips on how to be smarter than your computer. Here are a few nuggets dealing specifically with tables in Microsoft Word.

REPEAT TABLE HEADERS

MS Word can repeat the top row(s) of a table on subsequent pages, should the table span over more than one page. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the header row (or rows) that you want to repeat on each page. The selection must include the first row of the table.
2. Under Table Tools, on the Layout tab, in the Data group, click Repeat Header Rows.

Quick and simple! Take note that, if you need to remove the Repeat Header Rows option, you would have to again select the first header row. Selecting any of the automated headers will not allow the option to become available - it will be “greyed out”.

ADDING TEXT ABOVE A TABLE

I am in the habit of leaving an open line above any new table that I insert in a document. I got used to doing this to avoid the hassle of later trying to add text above the table, which can be quite tricky if you don’t know the shortcuts! Here’s the easy way:

1. Place the text cursor in the top left cell of the table in question, before any text it contains.
2. Press Enter if the table is at the top of the document; press Ctrl-Shift-Enter if the table is at the top of a section.

PREVENTING A ROW FROM BREAKING ACROSS PAGES

If a row contains multiple lines of text it might split into two rows at the bottom of a page. If you want to prevent a row from breaking across pages, follow these steps:

1. Select the row (or rows) that you want to keep together.
2. Choose Table Properties from the Table menu. On the Table Properties dialog box, make sure the Row tab is selected.
3. Make sure the Allow Row to Break Across Pages check box is cleared.
4. Click OK.

DO A SIMPLE CALCULATION

Did you know that you can make use of basic formulas in a Word table? It is easier than you think!

1. Select the table cell where you want your result. (It needs to be an empty cell.) .
2. On the Table Tools, Layout tab, in the Data group, click Formula.
3. Use the Formula dialog box to create your formula.

NEED HELP?

Please feel free to book a session with me. I do software training on most of the popular Software packages. Send an email to email@tiamari.com or WhatsApp me on 061-341-9072.

Remember that you can catch up on previous issues on the WUEC website (www.wuec.co.za) or on www.tiamari.com.

Happy Clicking!