Using Tables in your Document
Tables are a convenient way to display data in a columnar format and can also be used for a variety of projects including creating flyers, resumes and company letterhead. Tables in Word are made up of cells and displayed in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns.
Tables can easily be created in Word by using the Insert Tab, Tables Group on the Ribbon. In addition to creating a table from scratch on the Ribbon, you can also convert existing text to a table or even draw a table. Once created, you can select the cells, rows and columns and then edit them just as you would any other text in a document.
- After you insert a Table in Word, it appears in your document as a set of cells which contain an end of cell marker.
- The table also contains an end of row marker
- You can also resize a table by pointing to the edges and a move handle will appear
Create a Table for a Resume
- Tap ENTER four times so the table will be positioned vertically on the page.
- Click on the Insert Tab > Table Group and click the Table Command. (You will see a drop-down menu containing a grid of squares. Hover the mouse over the grid and draw a 2×7 Table and then click with the mouse. (You will see the table being drawn in the page as you hover. Click with the mouse when it’s the way you want it. The table will then be inserted in your document. You table should look like the following):
Entering text in a Table
After you create your table, you are now ready to start working with your table. You can:
- Enter text into the cells. Pressing tab will move you from cell to cell.
- You can merge the cells together to create column headings
- Select the entire table, one or more rows and columns or one or more cells
- Insert or delete rows at any time by using the Table > Layout contextual tab
- You can format your table by using the Table > Design contextual tab
Setting up the Table for the Resume – Merging Cells
- Select the first line in the table by moving your mouse into the white space and point and click the first line. (The Table Tools Contextual Tab will appear)
- Click the Layout Tab and then click the Merge Cells command. (The 2 cells will merge into one as shown below:)
Entering Text in a Table
- Click Table Tools > Layout > Alignment Group and click Align Center.
- Click the insertion point in the merged cell and Freya Bunter and tap ENTER. Type the rest of the contact information as shown below tapping ENTER at the end of each line.
- Tap the Tab key on your keyboard to move to the first cell in the first row and type Objective: Note: As you enter the text, you can also use your arrow keys to move from cell to cell, use the tab key on your keyboard or just click in a cell.
- Tap the Tab key on your keyboard to move to the next cell and type the following: Seeking a Receptionist position where I can utilize my keyboarding, telephone etiquette and Microsoft Word skills.
- Click with the mouse in the third row and type Qualifications. Tap to move to the next cell.
- Click the Home Tab > Paragraph Group > Bullets command to insert a bullet in the cell and type the following three bullets.
a. Type Excellent communication and problem-solving skills then tap ENTER to go to the next bullet
b. Type Professional, positive attitude and friendly demeanor on the phone, via email, and in person then tap ENTER to go to the next bullet.
c. Type Excellent customer service and telephone etiquette skills . Your spreadsheet should look like the following:
- Tap the tab key on your keyboard three times and type Education then type the rest of the resume as shown below using the techniques explained above to tab between cells and tapping ENTER to generate a new bullet as desired. Your final resume should look like the following:
Selecting a Table
- When you are clicked in the table, the Table Tools Contextual Tab appears with two tabs, Design and Layout. Click on the Layout tab > Select Group.
- Click the Select command and then click Select Table.
Remove the Table Borders
- Select the table and click the Table Tools contextual tab > Design tab> Borders > Borders menu button
- Choose No Border from the menu. Your completed resume will look like the following: