Word provides a handy shortcut that allows you to easily move rows around in a table. Simply follow these steps:
It is interesting to note that when you are using this method, you can even move a row (or rows, since you can select more than one row in step 1) right out of the table. In other words, the moving doesn't stop when you reach the top or bottom of the table. As you continue pressing the Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys, the rows continue to move away from the table in the direction you choose.
This technique will not work to move columns, however. You should note that when you hold down the Shift and Alt keys and press the Left Arrow or Right Arrow, the heading level of the entire row is changed.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (8999) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Moving Table Rows Quickly.
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!
Tables are great for organizing and presenting information in a document. If you have a document containing multiple ...
Discover MoreWhen formatting tables, you can both merge and split cells. Here's a couple of ways you can easily perform the latter ...
Discover MoreIt's easy to adjust the width of table columns using the mouse, but what if you don't want to use the mouse? Adjusting ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2021-08-23 17:22:50
Susan Rogers
This is a life-changing tip! Especially with the addition of the other comments about other ways in which it works.
There is one exception to Austin's comment about moving whole paragraphs. This does NOT work (at least not for me) if the paragraph is within a table cell -- only when not in a table. But still, I wish I'd known this starting about 30 years ago.
Thanks so much.
2021-08-23 04:07:27
Mario
The equivalent of the Alt key on the Mac is Option, but for this trick the keys are Shift-Control. Control is right adjacent to the Shift key so this is actually sleeker!
2021-08-22 12:05:24
Austin
This same technique can be used to move whole paragraphs up or down. You don't even need to select the paragraph you want to move -- you only need to have your cursor anywhere within the paragraph.
2021-08-21 05:16:05
Andy
Also worth noting is this works just as well to move item(s) up and down in numbered lists and bulleted lists - and it also allows you to re-order paragraphs in a document. It's a really useful shortcut.
2021-08-21 04:23:23
David
Absolutely brilliant! So useful - I just wish I'd known about this before when reordering tables, it would have saved me so much time.
Thanks Allen.
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 © 2022 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments