To insert a table in Google Docs on a computer, place the cursor where you want the table, open Insert > Table, then highlight the number of rows and columns you need. Click the selected grid size and Docs inserts the table at the cursor.
Add a table to a Google document
- Open the document in Google Docs.
- Click where the table should appear.
- Choose Insert from the menu bar.
- Point to or select Table.
- Choose the number of rows and columns.
You can begin typing as soon as the table appears. Press Tab to move to the next cell. Pressing Tab from the final cell can also add another row.
Add or remove rows and columns later
You do not need to know the final table size before inserting it. Right-click inside a cell to find commands for inserting or deleting rows and columns. If you select several rows or columns first, Google Docs can apply some table commands to the entire selection.
Change the table’s appearance
Use the table controls and Table properties to adjust options such as column width, row height, cell alignment, border appearance, and cell background. You can also drag a column boundary when you simply need to make a column wider or narrower.
Merge or split cells
To create a heading that spans several columns, select the cells, right-click the selection, and choose Merge cells. Google Docs also supports splitting a cell into additional rows and columns from the cell’s context menu.
For a table that contains a lot of data, consider whether Google Sheets would be a better fit. Docs tables work well for layout and smaller sets of information, while Sheets provides stronger sorting, formulas, and data-analysis tools.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.