Nested tables provide a great deal of flexibility in setting page layout. You could use tabs within your table, but that can be tricky. First you have to set the tab for the cell and then to tab, you have to press CTRL + Tab. If you press just Tab, it will only move your cursor to the next cell. It is much easier to use tables instead.
One example of using nested tables would be an expense report. Another would be a resume. Look at the examples below.
To type your resume without tabs, follow the steps below:
Set up a two column table in MS Word by clicking on Table | Insert Table.
List the main headings, such as Experience and Education in the first column and the items that pertain to those headings in the second column. Using a table, you can tab to the cell and the text will be automatically aligned to the cell grid lines, which are invisible when you print your table.
But wait, what if the items require tabs within the cells? That makes it all a bit trickier. To avoid having to set tabs in your table, instead insert a nested table.
Follow along, using the steps below:
- Type Education in the first column cell and then press Tab.
- Click and hold the Insert Table tool
on the Standard toolbar and drag to select a 2 x 2 table.
- Type the year in the first cell of the nested table.
- Press Tab and type the name of the school.
- Press Enter and type the degree or diploma earned.
- Press Tab and type the year.
- Press Tab and type the name of the next school.
- Press Enter and type the degree or diploma earned.
Congratulations! You have just typed the resume without having to set tabs within a cell.
I can sense that you will experiment with this and find lots of uses for this. If you do, I would like to hear and see what you have come up with. Please feel free to e-mail me with your creativity.
Carol Bratt is the Office Applications Editor at Daves Computer Tips. She has authored several informative Microsoft Office books and writes the monthly Word Bytes Newsletter with more tips and tricks in each issue. Visit Carol's website for more great Microsoft Office tips and tricks! Click here to see her latest books! You can read more about Carol here.