Drawing a Table

As an alternative to using the convenient Insert Table command, you can use Word's draw-a-table feature. It is easy to do by following these steps if you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Click on the Tables and Borders icon on the toolbar. Word displays the Tables and Borders toolbar and switches you to Print Layout view (if you are not using Print Layout view already). The Draw Table tool on the toolbar is automatically selected, and your mouse pointer looks like a pencil.
2. Use the mouse pointer to define the outside borders of your table, much as you would draw in a drawing program.
3. Use the Draw Table tool to draw the columns and rows into the table.
4. Close the Tables and Borders toolbar.

If the Tables and Borders toolbar is not visible on your screen, you can also display it by choosing the Draw Table option from the Table menu.

If you are using Word 2007, the steps are different:

1. Display the Insert tab of the Ribbon.
2. Click the Table option on the Ribbon. Word displays a drop-down list.
3. Select Draw Table from the list of options. Word changes to Print Layout view (if you are not already in that view) and changes the mouse pointer so it looks like a pencil.
4. Use the mouse pointer to define the outside borders of your table, much as you would draw in a drawing program.
5. Use the pencil to draw the columns and rows into the table.
6. Press Esc when you are done. Word changes the mouse pointer back to normal.