Centering a Table

Summary: When you insert a table, it is positioned at the left margin of the page. You may want to center the table between margins. How you accomplish this depends on the version of Word you are using. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

By default, Word automatically left-justifies a table in your document. If you want to quickly center the table between the page margins, follow these steps:

Right-click on the table. Word displays a Context menu.
Choose Table Properties from the Context menu. Word displays the Table Properties dialog box.
Make sure the Table tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Click on Center.
Click on Close.

The above steps won't work if you are using Word 97. If that is the case, then you should follow these steps:

Position the insertion point somewhere within the table.
Choose Select Table from the Table menu. This selects the entire table.
Choose Cell Height and Width from the Table menu. This displays the Cell Height and Width dialog box with the Row tab selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Click on the Center radio button.
Click on OK.

Tip #1733 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

Step Up and Take Control! Subscribers to WordTips know just how valuable a resource it is. WordTips Premium provides twice the number of exceptional, easy-to-understand tips every week in an ad-free newsletter, as well as substantial discounts on WordTips archives and e-books.

Check out WordTips Premium today!