How to Create and Modify a Table

By: Marcus Andra, Diego Palacios, Jeth Vang, Joseph Birch, Williard Sessler and
Jeremy Whallon

Introduction
This manual will inform the reader on how to operate Tables and
Columns tools in Microsoft Word. After following these directions, the
user will be able to Create, Modify, and Delete tables in Microsoft Word.
Along with how the user can quickly add and delete columns or rows
for a existing table.

Process Description
This tutorial is intended to show the user how to create and modify
tables columns and rows using Microsoft Word for Mac 2011 version
14.0.

Materials
Computer Monitor
Keyboard

Mouse or Trackpad
Microsoft Word

Directions
1. Open Microsoft Word
2. Click on Tables Tab near the top of Microsoft Word

3. On the left hand side, click New Table.

4. Drag the cursor to your desired layout, and click to input the
table.

Modify
1. Click in the inside cell of the table. Your cursor should be blinking
in one of the boxes.
2. Once clicked, the Table Layout Tab will appear. Click on the tab.

3. Once on this tab, you can choose to delete rows and columns or
shift them from left to right.
a. To delete
i. Click in the designated area. Your cursor should be in a cell
of the table you want deleted.
ii.
Click the delete button shown in the above image.
iii.
Select the desired deletion option (Cells, Columns, Rows,
Table).
b. Basic Rows & Columns modifications
1. Click in the designated area. Your cursor should be in a cell
of the table you want to edit.
2. Clicking on any of the available modifications under the
Rows & Columns section, Above,Below,Left,Right, will add a
column to the desired location.

Hot Key Shortcuts

A quick way to modify an existing table is to hold the control button and click the table a
drop down menu like the one below should appear. From this menu youre able to Insert
Tables, Delete Cells, Split Cells, and Visual Design tools.

Troubleshooting
Error

Cause

Remedy

Cannot add a row

or column.

Table is not selected.

Make sure that the table is selected then select

Table Layout tab.

Table Layout
missing.

Corrupt version of Word.

I. Re-install Word
II. Confirm that ribbon is turned on under
ribbon preferences.

Missing Border for

table.

Border may not be selected or

not visible due to the color.

I. Click on Borders under the Tables tab.

Check if desire Border preference is selected.
II. Check that the line color of table is a
visible color.

Unable to delete a
column or row.

The row or column may not be

selected.

I. Select the empty row or empty column you

want to delete.
II. Follow from above, step 3a.

Usability Test
Test Plan
Scope: To test how well our instructions explain how to insert tables
and add columns.
Purpose: To find out how clear our directions are. Will the reader have
any problems finding the correct icons? How easy is it to modify the
created table, while just following the directions.
Equipment: Basic working computer is needed. Correct Microsoft word
key is also needed to use the program
Participants: Anyone who wants to be more proficient in Microsoft
Word
Scenarios: The instructions tell the reader how to create a table. Once
the table is made, you are showed how to add columns
Metrics (Background question): Any reader who uses these
directions will be asked how easy it was to follow the basic instructions

Roles: Participants will try to follow the instructions. The group

members will take back the feedback and make needed modifications
to the directions as needed.

USABILITY REPORT
The first comment mainly discussed how our introduction needed more detail on
what the columns and cells are used for and how they are useful to the user. We decided
to expand our introduction section by adding information about the specific function of a
cell and column to give the reader a better insight on the topic. The other piece of
feedback was to explain how to enlarge the dimensions of the rows and columns to
inform users about more advanced modifications that can be done to the tables. We chose
to ignore this addition as we did not want to overwhelm the reader with too much
information since the goal of the instructions is to teach the very basics of tables and
columns, but it would be a great idea to add on a follow-up set of instructions that talk
more in depth on modifications.
The second comment gave us feedback on the images in our instructions. He
suggested that it could be more helpful and clear to add a screenshot for our modify
section, which talked about deleting cells and columns. We opted not to add a new
screenshot and simply detailed the information more fluently, as we felt the directions are
fairly clear and a new screenshot was needless. We also added a hotkey or shortcut to
address an issue we discovered in the comments section of our usability report. The
hotkey section appears toward the end of the instructions and should be help for advanced
users and those users who are more comfortable using command keys.

Overall, the feedback received from other classmates in the forums helped to fix
our shortcomings and polish the sections that may not have been as strong as the rest of
it.