Once in a while there are things you need to know how to do with tables, you want them to look professional, and sometimes you want to know how to perform calculations in tables (why use a calculator – you’re working with a perfectly good computer right now?). So right now, we’re going to create a professional-looking table, and you won’t have to make the time to format it. To get that extra umph you KNOW the dressed up table will make your report stand out and not be overstated.

What do you do with that short amount of time?

Well, you go to the INSERT tab and in the Tables group click the Table button and then place the cursor on QUICK TABLES. The Quick Tables gallery opens and gives you a variety of options, then click and select the style you like/fits what you want to do.

Word inserts the selected table and displays the Design contextual tab. This gets you the tools you need to format the style you chose. You can select from a variety of color themes – there’s a drop down thumbnail for that. You can select thickness of the headers, the lines, what ever – just go play in the TABLE STYLES gallery.

Yes, I did say play while typing a document! Sometimes play is good for the brain.

Now for that OMG – MATH!!! subject, what was I thinking? But, once in a while one does have to deal with math and formulas, they’re in everything.

So, let’s get started. You have a table on the order of this (if you want – use borders):

Furniture Quantity Unit Price TOTAL

12 ft. Truck 2 $30,000

24 ft. Truck 1 $45,000

Van 2 $25,000

TOTAL

You want to calculate what the amounts should be in the Total column. Click the cell below the Total column heading, and on the LAYOUT tab go to the Data group and click the Formula Button. In the dialog box in Formula, type in =C2*B2 (for the above example). Then click on Number Format and choose how you wish it to appear – should match the format as Unit Price. Then click OK. Your formula pops in, then of course do the same thing for the next two cells.

For the Total, the formula automatically calculates just format the numbers and click OK.

When you need to change amounts in cells, go ahead. Once you’ve done that, right-click on the formula cell and then click UPDATE FIELD and Word recalculates. Very cool for us math-phobes! Who needs a calculator next to your keyboard?!

NOTE: when you’re typing in formulas you MUST use capital letters, otherwise it won’t work – don’t go thinking it’s as easy-going as Excel – it does matter.

I apologize for the table format appearance - it won't work in this format.