Microsoft Word XP/X
Tables: Adding Borders & Shading
Borders are one way that you can enhance the appearance of your table. Shading 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:
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From the View menu, select Toolbars » Tables and Borders
The Tables and Borders toolbar appears.
To add a border by drawing:
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On the Tables and Borders toolbar, from the Line Style pull-down list, select a line style
Your pointer changes to a pencil. -
From the Line Weight pull-down list, select a line weight
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In your table, click individual cell borders or drag along borders to apply the new style
The border will be applied.
To add a border using the BORDER button:
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Click within or select the cells that you want to apply the border to
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On the Tables and Borders toolbar, from the Line Style pull-down list, select a line style
Your cursor changes to a pencil. -
From the Line Weight pull-down list, select a line weight
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Click the
on OUTSIDE BORDER
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From the choices that appear, select the appropriate border placement
The border will be applied.
To add shading:
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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. -
From the Tables and Borders toolbar, click the
on SHADING COLOR
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From the shading choices that appear, make your selection
The shading will be 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.
To add borders:
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Click within or select the cells that you want to apply the border to
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From the Format menu, select Borders and Shading...
The Borders and Shading dialog box appears.
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Select the Borders tab
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In the Setting, Style, Color and Width sections, select the desired options
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OPTIONAL: To apply custom border settings, in the Preview diagram, click the lines or buttons
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Click OK
To add shading:
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Click within or select the cells to which you want to apply the shading
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From the Format menu, select Borders and Shading...
The Borders and Shading dialog box appears. -
Select the Shading tab
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In the Fill section, select the desired shading option
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OPTIONAL: In the Patterns section, from the Style pull-down list, select a pattern
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Click OK
