How to insert and edit tables in Google Docs

If you want to display data, images, or objects in your document, you can use a table. We're going to show you how easy it is to insert a table into Google Docs and edit it as you like.

The advantage of using a table in Google Docs is that it gives you a structured way to display items. You can have data that would work best in a table or a variety of images that you want to display neatly.

Whatever your reason, using a table in Google Docs is so easy that it not only provides an effective way to show what you need, but can improve the overall look of your document as well.

Insert a table in Google Docs

Go to Google Docs, sign in and open your document or create a new one.

Place your cursor in the document where you want to add the table. Click Insert> Table from the menu. In the pop-up area, move your cursor over the grid to the number of columns and rows you want and click.

The table will appear on your document where you want it. If you're starting to add data right away, take a look at these Google Docs keyboard shortcuts to move around your table.

Edit a table in the document

Inserting a table in Google Docs only takes a few clicks. Once there, you can change the number of columns or rows, resize them, or add a cell border.

Add or remove columns and rows

You can decide that the table is too big or too small for its purpose. Adding and removing columns and rows is easy.

Navigate to a table cell where you want to add or remove a column or row. Right click and you will see the Insert and Delete options for Columns and Rows in the menu.

You'll also notice an option here for “Delete Table”, which is good to keep in mind if you decide to delete the table later.

Resize columns and rows

Depending on the size of the elements in your table, you may need to adjust the size of a column or row.

Place your cursor over the border of a cell in the column or row that you want to adjust. Click when you see the double-sided arrow display. You will see the border of that column or row highlighted in blue. Drag this line to adjust the size and release.

Add a cell border

In addition to changing the table border (which we'll show you next), you can add borders to particular cells. This allows you to highlight specific cells if needed.

Select the cell and click on the small arrow that appears in it.

When the small pop-up appears, choose the location of the cell border.

At the same time, the toolbar converts to let you customize the border. Select a color, width, or dash line for the border.

If you want to change the borders of multiple cells at once, just select the cells and follow these same steps.

Edit a table in properties

The remaining editing options for a table in Google Docs are in the Table Properties setting. So, right click inside the table and choose "Table properties".

Change the table border

At the top left of the Table Properties window are your table border settings. Use the two drop-down lists to select the border color and width.

Select cell color and alignment

Below the table border, you can add a cell background color using this drop-down list. For vertical cell alignment, you can choose from Top, Middle or Bottom.

If you want the cell color and alignment to apply to the whole table, you need to select it first. Otherwise, your change will only apply to the column or row you selected.

To select the entire table, drag your cursor over it until the entire table is highlighted (blue).

Then go back to the table properties to adjust these cell parameters.

Adjust cell dimensions and padding

If you want to use exact inches for your column and row sizes, you can set them under Dimensions. Before making this change, you must first select the entire table (as described above).

Then check the box "Column width" and / or "Minimum row height" and add the decimal values ​​in inches to the right.

Cell padding works the same with its values. Enter the number of inches you want to use for the padding. Remember that cell padding is the space between the cell data and the cell border.

Move table alignment

One last setting you might want to adjust is the array alignment. Use the drop-down list in this section of the table properties to choose between Left, Center, or Right. If you are using a left aligned table, you can optionally enter a left indent value in inches.

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When you want to insert and edit a table in Google Docs, it will be easy to do and you will have good flexibility. For more information, learn how to create a table of contents in Google Docs.