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Quickly Inserting Tables that Don't Go From Margin to Margin

Summary: Adding a table to your document is easy. Adding one that doesn't extend from margin to margin may seem a bit harder. Here's a way to easily add just such a "narrow" table. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007.)

The Insert Table tool is a handy way to create a table in your document. (The Insert Table tool is available on the toolbar or on the Insert tab of the ruler, depending on your version of Word.) When you insert a table using this tool, Word assumes you want the table spread over the entire width of your available page. You may not want this in all instances. For instance, you may want the table to be a bit narrower so you can subsequently center it on the page and have it actually stand off from the margins better.

One way to compensate for this default behavior is to always create a table that is one column wider than what you need. For instance, if you need a five-column table, you would actually create a six-column table. The six columns are, of course, spread from margin to margin. Next, just delete one of the columns. What you are left with is your desired five-column table, and it does not spread from one margin all the way to the other.

Tip #873 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

Tremendous Table Tips! We often take tables for granted, but Word includes some very powerful ways you can present your tabular data. Discover how to make your tables better, easier to understand, and more effective.
 
Check out WordTips: Terrific Tables today!