Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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: Selecting a Column or Row in a Table.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 18, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
There are two ways to select a column within a table:
The two ways to select a row within a table are very similar:
Note that the above references to "Layout tab of the ribbon" refers to the Layout tab that appears near the right side of the ribbon, to the right of the Table Design tab. This secondary Layout tab appears only after placing the insertion point within the table.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10341) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Selecting a Column or Row in a Table.
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!
For those who love to use the mouse during editing, you can use the little critter to help move your tables to exactly ...
Discover MoreIn Excel it is easy to count how many times a certain character occurs in a column of cells. In Word, it is a bit ...
Discover MoreWant to see the exact height of a row? This tip provides a quick and precise way that you can see that height.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2022-06-18 11:22:41
Hello ! Allen, there is also another way to select rows or columns that becomes tedious again. Through the keyboard shortcuts, modifying some default and assigning the respective command usually starts by (TableSelectRow) (TableSelectColumn) through the word options. Finally, as word allows continuous shortcuts for example tctrl+),1. And ctrl+),2. In this case, the commas (,) represent that one key can be played after the other without being pressed at the same time. This way I can have several table shortcuts like autofit among others. Customize Keyboard, accessed from File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Greetings Allen, I have been following you for two (2) years and I admire your work, thanks for sharing your knowledge and making us work more efficiently.
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.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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:
Comments