Format a Table: MS Word

Just imagine how much trouble you would go to in order to add all the font, color, borders, and shading formatting to a complex table. MS Word has made this process a lot easier for you by grouping together a number of attractive formats that you can add all at one time. To do this, you can use the Table AutoFormat feature.

To avail yourself of the Table AutoFormat feature, follow the steps below:

1. With the insertion point anywhere in the table, choose Table | Table AutoFormat.
    
2. Scroll through the list and click a pre-designed format to preview its effect.
    
3. Select or clear the check boxes to use the AutoFormat's borders, shading, color, font, and AutoFit feature. (Clear the AutoFit check box if you've already set the column width the way you want it).
    
4. Indicate whether you want special formatting to the first or last row or column.
    
5. Click OK to apply the format. If you don't like the results, click Undo and start over.

When you're finished, the table is formatted with font effects, borders, shading and colors, just as you specified.

Be careful when you choose one of the AutoFormats with deep or bright colors. They lose their punch when printed on a black-and-white laser printer, and they may not provide enough contrast with the text, making your table difficult to read.

(c) Carol Bratt, all rights reserved. Used with permission. Duplication is forbidden without express consent of author. Visit Carol's web site to learn more tips like this one!