Working with Word Tables

Most agency management systems use Microsoft Word to create proposals and schedules of insurance. These documents typically rely on the use of Word tables as a formatting tool. Unfortunately, many people in the agency do not have adequate training on how to edit these tables once they are created. Here are a few tips that may make working with tables a little easier.

A table has columns, rows, and cells. Some parts of a table can only be seen if you display all formatting marks by clicking Show/Hide on the Standard toolbar.

Insert text before a table: To insert text before a table that is on the first line of the first page in a document, click in the upper-left cell in the first row of the table, and then press ENTER. Note: If you have text in the upper-left cell, place the insertion point before the text. Then, type the new text you want to appear above the table.

Align table on a page: Select the table by clicking on it. On the Table menu, click Table Properties, and then click the Table tab. Under Alignment, select the option you want. To center a table on the page, select the center alignment option. You can indent the table if you align it left and then enter a number in the Indent from Left box.

Table Properties: The Table Properties dialog box described above also allows you to make many adjustments to columns, rows, and cells. For example you can also align text within an individual table cell by clicking the Cell tab and then selecting the alignment you want (top, center, bottom).

To insert a tab within a table cell, press CTRL+TAB.

Sort lists inside a table: Select the table you want to sort. Then, click the Table menu item and click Sort. Select the sort options you want.

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