Splitting a table can be handy, for example, when you need to add a column beneath a merged heading row, as shown here.
Start with your insertion point in the row below where you want the table to split.
On the
Table menu, click
Split Table.
A paragraph mark will be placed between the pieces of your table.
Insert the new column. When you’re done, delete the paragraph mark to remove the split.
When working with a table, the larger the portion of the table that you can format at once, the less work you will end up doing.
So, when you plan a new table or need to edit a table, keep the structure simple by avoiding configurations that require formatting cells individually. For example, split or merged cells, or cells that are resized individually, can make it impossible to select and format an entire column or row at once.
Instead of struggling to format columns with unique configurations, just split the table before making changes, as you see in the picture. It takes just a keystroke to reconnect the pieces of your table after you finish editing.
Tips
- When you split a table to add or remove columns, as in the example at left, apply the AutoFit to Window setting (available by selecting AutoFit on the Table menu) to both parts of the table before removing the split, to easily ensure that the pieces fit correctly when reconnected.
- If you prefer to use the keyboard, you can also split a table by pressing CTRL+ENTER. This action splits the table with a page break instead of a paragraph mark.
