Converting Text Into a Table

There are two major ways you can create tables in Word. One way is to create a blank table by any of the various methods provided by Word (such as drawing the table or using Insert Table tool). The other method is to convert existing text into a table. To convert text into a table, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the text which is to be converted into the table contains only a single tab character between each column.
2. Select the text you want converted into a table.
3. Either click on the Create Table tool on the toolbar or select the Insert Table option or the Convert Text to Table option from the Table menu.
4. If you selected the Convert Text to Table option, you are shown the Convert Text to Table dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.) Make sure all the table settings are correct and then click on OK.

The selected text is immediately converted into a table. In some instances, the width of columns in the resulting table may need to be adjusted. You will know if this is the case because the table will look very strange. Sometimes you can get files from programs such as a spreadsheet that use commas to separate columns. Word will also convert this comma separated text to a table.