Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 29, 2018)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
If you need to work with documents from other Word users, you may have a need to change the formatting that is applied to tables within those documents. For instance, you may need all tables to have 10% shading applied. Applying the shading over and over again can be tedious, however.
There are a couple of things you can do to speed up your formatting task. If you don't have many tables to process, then you will appreciate these steps:
If you have many, many tables you want to format, you might want to create a macro to do the shading for you. The following simple macro steps through each table in a document and applies the 10% shading.
Sub TableShading() For Each aTable In ActiveDocument.Tables aTable.Shading.Texture = wdTexture10Percent Next aTable End Sub
There are other approaches you can take, as well. (Word is nothing, if not flexible.) For instance, you could create a table style that could be applied to your tables, or you could create an AutoFormat for your tables.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6270) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Applying Consistent Shading to a Table.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
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 MoreWant to change the borders that Word adds to your tables? You have complete control over the way your borders appear, ...
Discover MoreGot some text you absolutely must fit on a single line in a table cell? Then you'll appreciate this rather esoteric ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments