Preventing a Frame when Converting a Table to Text

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 12, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365


When Peg has a table with the text wrapping set for Around, and then she converts the table to text, that text ends up being in a frame. She doesn't want it in a frame; she just wants it as plain, in-line with text. Peg wonders if there is a setting to prevent the converted table from ending up in a frame.

There is no setting that controls this behavior. Word does it because it doesn't know where to put the table text relative to the regular document text, so it places it in a frame. The only way around this manually is to change the text wrapping so that the table is inline, and then do the conversion to text. You could automate this a bit by using a simple macro:

Sub ConvertTable1()
    If Selection.Information(wdWithInTable) Then
        Selection.Tables(1).Rows.WrapAroundText = False
        Selection.Rows.ConvertToText Separator:=wdSeparateByTabs, _
          NestedTables:= True
    Else
        MsgBox "Insertion point must be in a table."
    End If
End Sub

Of course, if you choose to go the "macro route," you could use the macro to convert the table to text (which would place it in a frame) and then delete the frame. Here's the way to do that:

Sub ConvertTable2()
    If Selection.Information(wdWithInTable) Then
        Selection.Rows.ConvertToText Separator:=wdSeparateByTabs, _
          NestedTables:= True
        ActiveDocument.Frames.Delete
    Else
        MsgBox "Insertion point must be in a table."
    End If
End Sub

Either macro produces the same result. All you need to do is make sure the insertion point is within the table and then run the macro.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the WordTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (2358) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365.

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

Fixing the Decimal Point

Don't want to always type the decimal point as you enter information in a worksheet? If you are entering information that ...

Discover More

Drawing a Curve

Ever wonder how to add a curved line to your document? With a little practice, adding curves is simple. Here's how.

Discover More

Changing the Direction of Table Contents

Word allows you to format your text using different languages. If you are working with a right-to-left language, you may ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Jumping to the Ends of Table Rows

Need to jump from one end of a table row to another? Word provides a couple of handy shortcuts that can make this type of ...

Discover More

Quickly Accessing the Column Tab

If you need to quickly display the Column tab of the Table Properties dialog box, here are some handy tricks you can use. ...

Discover More

Formatting a Table Using a Macro

Tables are a great way to present information in an easy-to-understand manner. If you want to do some specialized ...

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 5 - 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 ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu 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.