Microsoft Word 2003/2004
Tables: Adding Borders and Shading
Applying borders and shading are two ways that you can enhance the appearance of your tables. Using shading for individual cells can help emphasize the information contained in it or differentiate headings from content.
Adding Borders and Shading: Toolbar Option
In order to use the toolbar option, the Tables and Borders toolbar must be displayed.
To display the Tables and Borders toolbar:
-
From the View menu, select Toolbars » Tables and Borders
The Tables and Borders toolbar appears.
Adding Borders: Drawing Option
-
On the Tables and Borders toolbar, from the Line Style pull-down list, select the desired line style
Your pointer turns into a pencil. -
From the Line Weight pull-down list, select the desired line weight
-
Click the
on BORDER COLOR
» select the desired border color -
In your table, click individual cell borders or drag along borders to apply the new style
The border is applied to your table. -
To turn off the drawing pencil, double click the table
Adding Borders: Button Option
-
Click within or select the cells to which you want to apply the border
-
On the Tables and Borders toolbar, from the Line Style pull-down list, select the desired line style
Your insertion point turns into a pencil. -
From the Line Weight pull-down list, select the desired line weight
-
Click the
on BORDER COLOR» select the desired border color -
Click the
on OUTSIDE BORDER
» select the desired border placement
The border is applied to your table.
Adding Shading
-
Click within or select the cells in your table to which you want to apply the shading
HINT: You can apply both borders and shading to cells within a table. -
On the Tables and Borders toolbar, click the
on SHADING COLOR
» select the appropriate option
The shading is applied to your table.
Adding Borders and Shading: Dialog Box Option
The Borders and Shading tabs in the Borders and Shading dialog box allow you to add borders and shading to an individual cell or the whole table.
Adding Borders
-
Click within or select the cells to which you want to apply the border
-
From the Format menu, select Borders and Shading...
The Borders and Shading dialog box appears. -
Select the Borders tab
-
In the Setting, Style, Color, and Width sections, select the desired border options
-
OPTIONAL: To apply custom border settings, in the Preview diagram, click the lines or buttons
-
Click OK
Adding Shading
-
Click within or select the cells to which you want to apply the shading
-
From the Format menu, select Borders and Shading...
The Borders and Shading dialog box appears. -
Select the Shading tab
-
Under Fill, select the desired shading option
-
From the Apply to pull-down list, verify the selection
-
OPTIONAL: Under Patterns, from the Style pull-down list, select the desired shading pattern
-
Click OK
