Text+to+Table+in+Word


 * Text to Table in Word**

Here's the situation: you have a list of items or names in MS Word that is in perfect condition. There are no typos and it's exactly in the order you need it to be. But of course, there's always a catch. You now realize you need the list in a table.

Give this little trick a try the next time you're looking to make your already typed text into a table.

First, you should **highlight the list**. In **older versions of MS Word**, you now need the **Table** menu, **Convert** submenu, **Text to Table** choice. In **Word 2007**, you're looking for the **Insert** ribbon, **Table** button, **Convert Text to Table** choice.



The **Convert Text to Table** dialogue box will open, displaying your choices. Word will try to guess what you'll need based on the data you've highlighted, but you know what you're trying to create, so make the changes as necessary. Word simply used the amount that matched my highlighted data.
 * In the top section, you can set the table size**.

The **middle** allows you to decide how the **columns widths** will be created. Should they all be the same width? Should Word AutoFit to the longest piece of data in the column? The AutoFit to window choice is for Web browsers and it will "automatically resize the table so that it fits within the window of a Web browser. When the window size of the Web browser changes, the table size automatically adjusts to fit within the window."

Finally, at the **bottom**, you need to **tell Word how the data items are separated**. That is, what separates each piece of data to tell Word when to start the next column.

For example, with the following list, choose the **Other** option and enter a space in the box to get each of the first and last names into their own columns. Mickey Mouse

Donald Duck

Daisy Duck

Minnie Mouse When the number of columns is set to 4, you would have a table like this:

Basically, to start, you must have some idea of what you're looking to create as the final product. Then you may have to do a little bit of trial and error to find exactly what you need. Also, if you haven't already "made friends" with the Undo button (**Ctrl + Z**), do during this experimentation process .