Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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: Centering a Table.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 14, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
By default, Word automatically left-justifies a table in your document. If you want to quickly center the table between the page margins, follow these steps:

Figure 1. The Table tab of the Table Properties dialog box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10076) 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: Centering a Table.
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!
Word's table editor allows you to modify the structure of tables in a wide variety of ways. If you want to add columns to ...
Discover MoreWhen you press the Tab key while entering info into a table, Word dutifully moves to the next table cell. If you don't ...
Discover MoreWhen creating a table, you can turn the orientation of the text, within a cell, by ninety degrees in either direction ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2024-08-13 17:57:12
Buff Miner
Staight to the point. Thanks!
2023-09-28 09:35:13
Ly
great, this help a lot!
2021-08-18 02:51:45
DJ
Thank you. It works!
"5. Click on Close."
Should say "5. Click on OK."
2021-08-14 09:19:18
Miguel
Hi there. I`ve got a simple question: How to instruct Word to automatically center tables between the page margins by default? Thanks a lot for your attention!
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