Word Project Tables

Working with Graphics:
Working with Text:
Working with Tables:
Word Tips - General

Tables can be used as the basis for a range of handy documents for home and work.
processor. Their most obvious use is in providing a structured display of columns and rows that divides the editing area into small cells into which you can type information. The text you type into one of these table cells will scroll around in that cell and won't overlap any other cells to the right or below. This behaviour makes it possible to use tables for placing pieces of text, of almost any size, neatly side-by-side. If you tried to achieve the same results without a table you could spend hours trying to get the same results, and if you later needed to edit the text, you could find all your hard work wasted as the layout won't be resilient to change. When you use a table, the layout will be quick and easy to create and very robust when edited.
In addition, tables are also the basis of a number useful projects for home and office use. In this month's Project we'll show you some handy and functional uses to which you can put a table. The first project is a notice with tear-off slips that you can use for home and at the office. The second project is a small roster that uses a table for its layout. You will also see that a table is at the heart of creating other office documents such as business cards.
To complete these projects, all you need is a copy of Word (any version from 97 up will do) and some clipart. If you're creating the business cards (as shown in the tutorial), you should purchase your business card stock before you begin as you will need the stock number for the project.
Notice with Tear-off Strips
When you're creating a notice for an event or to provide some useful information, you'll often have details to give to your audience that are too much for them to remember. In case they don't have pen and paper handy, in these situations it's useful if you provide a set of tear-off strips displaying the information that they can remove and take with them. A notice like this is easy to create in Word using a table.,.

1. Begin with a new blank Word document and set the page margins by choosing File, Page Setup, Margins tab. Set the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right margins to 1cm and, if you're using Word 2002, click the Layout tab and set the From edge Header and Footer distances to Ocm. If you're using Word 2000 or Word 97, these settings are on the Margins tab. Click OK. If you see a message warning you that the margins are outside the printable area of the page, click Fix and then OK. You will find it easiest to work on this project when you can see the entire page on screen so choose View, Zoom, Whole Page and click OK.

TIP
ADD AN IMAGE BEHIND A TABLE
If you'd prefer an image behind your table (in place of a gradient fill), use a text box and fill it with an image by right-clicking, and choosing Format Text Box, Colors and Unes tab. From the Fill Color drop-down list, choose Fill Effects, Picture, Select Picture.

2. To add your table, choose Table, Insert, Table (in Word 97 choose Table, Insert Table). Set the number of columns to 2, the number of rows to 10, and click OK. Now, with your mouse, drag the lower border of the table down so it sits about lem from the bottom of the page (but not so far as it goes onto the next page].

3. Click somewhere in the table and choose Table, Select, Table then choose Table, Menu AutoFit, Distribute Rows Evenly and all the
rows will stretch to fill the page. If you are using Word 97, choose Table, Select Table and then Table, Distribute Rows Evenly.

4. Drag the dividing line between the two columns across so it sits in a position about two thirds of the width of the page. Then click the first column of the table and choose Table, Select, Column (in Word 97, choose Table, Select Column) and then Table, Merge Cells. You now have a single large cell into which you can type your notice, and if you wish, you can also add an image.

5. To add an image, click the large cell on the left of the page and choose Insert, Picture then choose From File or Clip Art depending on the location of the image you plan to use. When the image appears in the table, click it to select it and choose Format, Picture, Layout tab, and set the Wrapping Style to Square or Tight depending on your preference. You can also select Behind text to place the image behind the text on the page. (If you're using Word 97 you'll find images don't work quite the same when placed in table cells. In this case, choose the Position tab and click Float over text then choose the Wrapping tab and set the Wrapping Style to None.) Click OK when you are done. You can now adjust the size of the image and move it into position.

6. Type the text for your notice using a font and font size that can easily be seen at a distance. Use mixed case (rather than all capitals} and draw attention to the most important words. If you are using Word 97 and you want your text to appear over the image, right-click the image and choose Order, Send Behind Text.

7. The information for the tear-off strips goes in the cells down the right of the page. Begin in the first cell and type your text. Format it using a font and size that enables you to fit all the information in the one cell without making it any larger. Now highlight the text in this cell and click Copy, select all the cells below and click Paste to paste the details into all the other cells.

8. When you have completed your notice, remove all the borders from the table by clicking somewhere in the table and choose Format,Borders and Shading, Borders tab. Click the None button on the left, and from the Apply to list, choose Table and click OK. Save and print a copy of your notice. Using scissors, cut along the spaces between the information down the right of the page so that the small strips are easy to tear off.

The merge tool enables you to join cells from a number of rows and columns to make one large cell.

You can set the image so that it appears underneath the text for a more interesting effect.

Using Word's table tools enables you to quickly create even-sized rows for the notice.

If you hold down [Ctrl] as you drag a column border, the columns to the right shrink in size automatically.

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