If you use tables in Microsoft Word to organize items in your document or display structured data, there may come a time when you need to split a table in two. On the other hand, you may have two tables that you want to merge into one.
It’s not difficult to split and merge tables in Word; you have to know the proper steps.
How to Divide a Table in Word
You can split a single table into two tables with a handy button on the ribbon.
- Place the cursor in the cell that you want to move to the new table.
- Go to the tab Design.
- Click on Split table in the Merge section of the ribbon.
Then you will see that your table is divided in two.
Split a table with a title
If you have a title for your table, it will move to the second table after the split. So you will have to correct this later or remove the title before the division and add it to each table afterwards.
Split a table with a header row
When a table is split, the header row remains in the top table. If you want to add a header row to the second table after splitting, it only takes a few clicks.
Select the top row of the table and right-click. When the toolbar appears, click the arrow Insert and select Insert above.
You then have a new row to insert the headers.
How to Join Tables in Word
Although you can join two tables in Word, there is no handy button on the ribbon to do it. You will use a simple drag and drop action.
- Select the bottom table to display the handle (four-sided arrow) in the upper left.
- Drag the handle until you see the outline of the table just below the last row of the top table.
- Release when the boards are aligned.
Your two tables should become one.
Merge tables with captions
If the tables you are joining have captions, they will both move down below the merged table. You can correct this and remove the title you don’t want afterwards or remove the titles before merging the tables and then add one to the final table.
Merge tables with header rows
When tables that have header rows are joined, that row from the second table becomes a normal row when the table is merged. You can then delete that row from the joined table.
Select the row in the table and click the right mouse button. When the toolbar is displayed, click the arrow Remove and select Delete rows.
The row will disappear, leaving you with a finished and merged table.
Split or combine tables in Microsoft Word
Whether you want to combine one or more tables or divide them into different ones, it is easy to do so in Microsoft Word.
