How to Insert a Table in Word on Desktop and Mobile

Download Article

Add tables to your documents on a computer, phone, or tablet

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: February 16, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Using a Computer
|
• Using iPhone or iPad
|
• Using Android
|
• Video
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow guide teaches you how to insert a simple table into a Microsoft Word document. With just a few clicks, you can create a basic table in Word for Windows, Mac, or the Web. We’ll also show you how to make a table in the mobile Word app for iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Quick Steps to Make a Table in Word

1. Place your cursor in the part of the document where you want the table to go.
2. Click the Insert tab at the top of Word.
3. Click the Table icon.
4. Hover over the table grid to select your desired number of rows and columns.
5. Click your mouse to insert the table.
6. Click a cell to insert text, or use the Table Design and Table Layout tabs to format your table.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Computer

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Select the place in your document where you want to insert a table. If you’re creating a table in a blank document, click anywhere on the page. If there’s text or other content in your document, make sure to place your cursor in the spot where you want the table to go.

   • The instructions in this method will work in Word for Windows, Mac, or the web.
2. 
   2
   Click the Insert tab. This tab is to the right of the "Home" tab in the top-left corner of the Word window.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Click Table. It's the grid icon on the left end of the Insert menu bar at the top of the page. When you click it, a dropdown menu will open showing a grid of squares.
4. 
   4
   Hover your mouse over the grid to select rows and columns. Highlight the squares in the grid by passing your cursor over them without clicking. Drag your mouse to select the number of rows and columns you want in your table. You’ll see the selected number at the top of the table. Don’t click the mouse button until you’re ready to insert the table!

   • For example, if there are 5 columns and 6 rows in your selection, the text will say “5 x 6 table”.
5. 
   5
   Click your mouse to insert the table. Once you’ve selected the desired number of rows and columns, click the mouse button. The table will instantly appear at the selected spot in your document!

   • This method will create a super basic table with a simple border around every cell. There are all kinds of formatting tools you can use if you want something more advanced. Click on the table to open the Table Design tab at the top of Word to see more formatting options.
     • This menu lets you do things like choose from preset table styles, add or remove borders from your table or individual cells, create specially formatted headers, and more.
   • You can also click the Table Layout tab if you want to change things like the number, size, or alignment of the rows and columns.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using iPhone or iPad

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Tap the

   

   Edit icon at the top of your document. To insert a table in the mobile app for iOS, you’ll need to be in Edit mode. Open your doc in the Word app, then tap the pencil icon at the top of the screen.
2. 
   2
   Select the spot in the document where you want the table to go. If there’s already text or other content in the document, tap the screen in the part of the document where you want to place the table.
3. 
   3
   Tap +. It’s in the row of formatting tools above the keyboard at the bottom of the screen.
4. 
   4
   Tap the Table icon. It looks like a grid of 9 squares. The Table menu will open.
5. 
   5
   Use the + and - buttons to select the number of rows and columns. By default, the number of rows and columns is set to 3 each. Tap the - and + icons to increase or decrease these numbers.
6. 
   6
   Tap Insert Table. Once you’ve selected the desired number of rows and columns, tap the blue Insert Table button at the bottom of the screen. The table will appear in your document at the selected spot. Tap the X at the top right corner of the table menu to close it.
7. 
   7
   Tap your table to edit it. Tap an individual cell to place the cursor there, then add text using the keyboard. When you select any part of the table, additional table formatting tools will appear in the toolbar above the keyboard. You can use these to add or delete new rows or columns, or to delete the entire table.

   • The table formatting options in the iPhone/iPad version of Word are very limited. If you want more tools to customize your table, try editing your document in Word for desktop or the web.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Android

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Tap the place in the document where you want to insert a table. If you’re inserting a table in a blank document, you can place your cursor anywhere. If it’s a document with pre-existing text or other content, make sure to select the exact spot where you want the table to go.
2. 
   2
   Tap the

   

   arrow icon at the bottom of the screen. It’s located above the keyboard on the right side. When the keyboard is open, this icon is typically facing up. When you tap it, it will rotate downward, and a new menu will open.
3. 
   3
   Select Insert from the popup menu on the left. Tap the text that says Home on the left side of the screen. A menu will expand. Select Insert.
4. 
   4
   Tap Table. It’s near the top of the Insert menu. The icon looks like a grid of squares with a bar at the top. A 3x3 table will appear in your document.
5. 
   5
   Use the tools in the Table menu to format your table. Once you insert the table, you can use the tools at the bottom of the screen to change the format:

   • Tap Insert Rows and Columns to change the number of rows and columns in your table.
   • Use the Merge Cells and Split Cells tools to change the number of cells in an individual row or column.
   • Use the Style Options or Table Styles menus to access more advanced formatting tools.
   • When you’re done, use the menu on the left side of the screen to return to the Home tab. Tap the
     
     arrow icon on the right side of the screen to open the keyboard again.
6. 
   6
   Tap a cell in the table to insert text. Tap a cell to put your cursor there, then use the on-screen keyboard to enter text into the cell.
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  What if I created several cells, but later find I don't need all of them? How can I make some disappear?

  

  Community Answer

  Right-click the cell you don't want anymore. In the pop up menu, select "Delete" and select which cells you want to delete.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
• Question

  How do I download Excel?

  

  Community Answer

  If you are using Windows 10, use the Microsoft Store. But if you are using Android (easier) download it on the Google Play Store. The website play.google.com has it for laptops and PCs.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
• Question

  How do I increase my row line?

  

  Community Answer

  Go to Insert-Table on the main menu. This will open up a Table Tab with sub tabs for Design and Layout. Select Layout. Click in a row immediately above or below where you ant to add one or more rows. On the Table Layout menu, click Insert Below or Insert Above once for each row you want to add.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

2 Quick Ways to Insert a Table in a Microsoft Word Document

How to

Make a Calendar in Word

How to

Copy a Table from Word

4 Easy Ways to Make Two Columns in Word on Desktop or Mobile

How to

Quickly Make a Table for WordPad

How to

Add Another Row in Microsoft Word

Editing Documents with Microsoft Word Online: Steps & Tips

How to

Split a Table in Microsoft Word: Quick & Easy Steps

2 Quick Ways to Add Columns in Microsoft Word

How to

Make a Signup Sheet in Microsoft Word

How to

Create a Calendar in Google Docs

A Beginner's Guide to Using Templates in Microsoft Word

How to

Make a Time Management Schedule with Microsoft Word

How to

Create a Table in HTML

Advertisement