GCFLearnFree.org

Publisher 2003

Formatting a Table

Page 1

Introduction

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

  • Change the fill color in a table
  • Change the line color in a table
  • Display or hide lines in a table
Page 2

Formatting tables

Watch the video! (6:46 min)

Once you insert a table in your document, you may want to apply additional formatting to make it stand out or read more clearly. Publisher allows you to change the background color of cells, add borders, resize rows and columns, and add or delete rows or columns.

To change the fill color of a table cell:

  • Click inside a table cell to select it, or click and drag to select multiple cells.
  • Right-click the selection and choose Format Table from the context menu. The Format Table dialog box will appear.

    Table Format dialog

  • Select the Colors and Lines tab.
  • Choose a color in the Fill section. Select no fill to keep the background blank.
  • Click OK.

To add borders to table cells:

  • Select FormatactionTable from the main menu. The Format Table dialog box appears.
  • Select the Colors and Lines tab.
  • In Line:
    • Choose a line color.
    • Select a line weight.
    • Click the various line icons to show or hide lines in your table. You can also select one of the presets.

To change row height and cell width:

  • Move your mouse over the row or column line you want to adjust. The double arrow cursor will appear.
  • Click and drag to make the row or column larger or smaller.
Table change cursor

To add or remove rows or columns:

  • Select the row or column in your table next to where you want to insert a new one.
  • Select TableactionInsert on the main menu.
  • Select an option from the list.
  • To delete a row or column, select it, right-click your mouse, and select Delete.
table menu

Page 3

Challenge!

Use the publication you created in the last challenge, or create a new blank publication to complete this challenge.

  • Open the publication.
  • Insert or select a table, and complete the following:
    • Change the fill color of at least two cells.
    • Insert two rows.
    • Insert two columns.
    • Delete the extra columns or rows.
    • Resize the row height and column width.
  • Save and close the publication to use in the next challenge.