In those cases, use a table to align the data and then get rid of the borders.

But although tables are easy to implement and format, not all table tasks are obvious.

These tips will help you work more efficiently with most any table.

Perhaps the simplest way to generate a table is to select text and convert it.

Word does a great job of interpreting the data and defaulting to the right settings if youre consistent during data entry.

Specifically, insert one delimiting character between each item, and enter a single paragraph return (press Enter) between each row, as shown in Figure A.

Then, click the Insert tab and click the Table drop-down (in the Tables group).

In Word 2003, choose Convert from the Table menu and then select Text To Table.

You shouldnt have to adjust the default settings ( Figure B ) much if you use delimiters consistently.

Interpreting the tabs and returns, Word can detect that there are two columns and five rows, as shown in Figure C.

The quickest way to select a table is to click its Move handle.

Click anywhere in the table to display this handle -- the small square icon at the top-left corner, shown in Figure D.

A single click of the Move handle will select the entire table, so you can do the following.

To delete the entire table, select it and then press Backspace.

Word defaults to the Table Grid format (Figure C), which applies almost no formatting.

But using Words Tables Styles gallery, you can quickly format those results.

Select the entire table and then click the contextual Design tab and hover over the many styles in the gallery (in the Tables Styles group).

Click the gallerys down arrow to see the full gallery, shown in Figure E.

When you find a style that meets your needs (or thats close), click it.

If the resulting table isnt exactly what you want, continue to tweak it.

Hover the mouse over a border until the double-arrow pointer appears.

Word will display specific measurements, as shown in Figure H.

You can quickly move a row of data by selecting it and then pressing ShiftAltDown Arrow (or Up Arrow).

Continue to hold down Shift and Alt while pressing an arrow key as many times as needed.

Word For Mac Tips On Tabs