Adding and Editing Tables

Adding and Editing Tables
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Tables are the best way to show information in rows and columns, such as hours, fees or contact lists. Use the Table button in the text editor to add one.

Add a Table

Place your cursor in the text editor where the table should go, then select the Table button in the toolbar.

The Table button in the text editor toolbar.

Move your mouse over the grid to choose how many rows and columns you need, then click. The numbers under the grid show the size (rows × columns). You can add or remove rows and columns later.

The table size grid with 4 rows and 3 columns selected.

Click in a cell and start typing. Press Tab to move to the next cell, and Shift + Tab to move back. Pressing Tab in the last cell adds a new row.

The Table Toolbar

When your cursor is inside a table, a small toolbar appears above it. From left to right, the buttons are:

  • Column – add, delete or select columns, or make the first column a header
  • Row – add, delete or select rows, or make the first row a header
  • Merge cells – join cells together or split them
  • Toggle caption – add a title to the table

The table toolbar above a table.

Add a Header Row

Every table should have a header row: the top row that names each column. Screen readers use it to tell visitors which column they are in.

Click in any cell of the top row, select the Row button, and turn on Header row.

The Row menu with the Header row switch highlighted.

If the first column names each row instead (for example, a list of facilities), you can turn on Header column from the Column button the same way.

Add or Delete Rows and Columns

Click in a cell next to where you want the change, then:

  • select the Column button and choose Insert column left, Insert column right or Delete column
  • select the Row button and choose Insert row above, Insert row below or Delete row

The Column menu with options to insert or delete a column.

Merge and Split Cells

To join a cell with the one next to it, click in the cell, select the arrow beside the Merge cells button, and choose which direction to merge. You can also select several cells by clicking and dragging across them, then select the Merge cells button.

To divide a cell again, choose Split cell vertically or Split cell horizontally.

The Merge cells menu with merge and split options.

Use merged cells sparingly. Simple tables are easier to read on phones and with screen readers.

Add a Caption

A caption is a short title for the table, such as “Facility hours.” Screen readers announce it before the table, which helps visitors know what the table is about. Select the Toggle caption button, then type the caption above the table.

A table with the caption Facility hours above it.

Delete a Table

To delete a whole table, click inside it, then click the handle at the top-left corner of the table. This selects the entire table. Press Delete or Backspace on your keyboard.

The handle at the top-left corner of a table that selects the whole table.

Tips

  • Use tables only for information in rows and columns, not to arrange text or images on the page.
  • Keep cells short. Long paragraphs in a table are hard to read on phones.
  • Don’t leave the header row empty, and don’t use empty rows or columns to add space.
  • Save the page as Published when you are done so the public can see the table.

A finished table with a caption and a header row in the text editor.

Dennis Osnitsky