Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007 and 2010. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Drawing a Table.

Drawing a Table

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 11, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007 and 2010

As an alternative to inserting a table using the tools on the ribbon, you can use Word's draw-a-table feature. It is easy to do by following these steps:

Display the Insert tab of the ribbon.
Click the Table option on the ribbon. Word displays a drop-down list.
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.
Use the mouse pointer to define the outside borders of your table, much as you would draw in a drawing program.
Use the pencil to draw the columns and rows into the table.
Press Esc when you are done. Word changes the mouse pointer back to normal.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5927) applies to Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Drawing a Table.

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. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Can't Save a Macro

Macros can make your use of Word faster and easier than ever before. What do you do, however, when you try to save a ...

Discover More

Inserting Large Numbers of Checkboxes

Excel provides a number of tools you can use to help create forms. One of those tools is a checkbox. If you need to place ...

Discover More

Using Text Boundaries

Text boundaries can help you better visualize where text can appear in your document. The feature is easy to turn on and ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Tables within Tables

Inserting a table in a document is easy. Did you know that you can also insert a table within another table? Word allows ...

Discover More

Creating Tables with Specific Column Widths

Create a table and Word figures out column widths by dividing the horizontal space by the number of columns you want in ...

Discover More

Rounded Table Edges

Tables can be a great addition to many documents, as they allow you to arrange and present information in a clear and ...

Discover More

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.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 2 + 2?

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.