Designing Standard Tables

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 19, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


As you already know, when you create a table in Word, it adds a set border of one-half point around each cell in the table. If your "standard" table is different from what Word thinks it should be, however, you may be up a creek, since Word doesn't allow you to define what a standard table should look like.

If you have a "standard" table that you use over and over again in your document, there is a way around this problem. Remember, however, that a "standard" table (by this definition) will always have the same number of columns and rows and be exactly the same as every other standard table. (Of course, you can modify your standard table once it is inserted in your document.)

I've found that the easiest way to create your standard table is through the use of the AutoText feature. (I know that you can create table styles, but I find them less than easy at times.) All you need to do is follow these general steps:

  1. Create your standard table, as desired. Make sure it is formatted as desired, and that it includes any standard text.
  2. Select the entire table.
  3. Press Alt+F3. The Create AutoText dialog box appears. (See Figure 1.)
  4. Figure 1. The Create AutoText dialog box.

  5. Provide a name for your standard table.
  6. Click on OK.

Your standard table is now created. To use the table, simply type the name you entered in step 4, and then press F3. The table appears in your document.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (863) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Clearing the Contents of a Table

Want to get rid of information within a table, but not the table itself? Here's a guide to understanding the effects that ...

Discover More

Listing Documents with Passwords

Do you need a list of documents that require a password or that require a particular password to open? Word doesn't ...

Discover More

Determining a Random Value

If you need to determine a random value in a macro, you can do so using the Rnd function. This tip presents the syntax ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!

More WordTips (menu)

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

Adding a table to your document is easy. Adding one that doesn't extend from margin to margin may seem a bit harder. ...

Discover More

Repeating Rows for a Table Footer

Word allows you to specify rows that should be repeated at the top of a table when that table extends beyond the bottom ...

Discover More

Headings On Your Printout

If you've got a table that spans multiple printed pages, you probably want to repeat a row or two of that table as a ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four minus 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.