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How To Create A Table In Excel_ An Easy Guide

August 24, 2023 1.0K views

Excel is the all-in-one tool for all your data needs, and maximize its full potential. Want to create a table but find all the options a bit confusing? There is no need to worry. We have it covered. This article will guide you on 'How To Create A Table In Excel Easily.' With our easy-to-follow steps, you'll quickly learn how to form tables under any condition. Let's get started with Excel and make it your friend.

What Is the Table In Excel?

A Table in Excel operates as a structured, organized storage space for your data, functioning much like how a closet or cupboard serves in a house. Just as we categorize and store our items at home, for instance, putting all plates in one cupboard, Excel tables allow us to efficiently sort and manage specific data sets within one unit.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Rather than having data scattered across the spreadsheet, an Excel table ensures that all pertinent data is housed together, highlighting its interrelation and coherence. Without a table, data relevance is determined by its nearness on the spreadsheet, which can lead to disorder and confusion. Excel tables are critical tools for optimal data management, ensuring your data remains ordered, connected, and easily accessible.

How to Create a Table in Excel?

Make A Table

Step 1: Open the Excel file. It can be done by double-clicking on the Excel document directly or by launching the Excel program and then choosing the required document from the home page.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily

Step 2: Identify the data for your table. Begin by clicking on the cell at the top left of the desired data set, then while holding the Shift key, click on the cell at the bottom right of your data set.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily

Step 3: Click the Insert tab. This tab can be found on the green toolbar at the top of the Excel interface. Be sure to click the tab in the toolbar, not the Insert option in the Mac's menu bar if you use a Mac.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 4: Select the Table option. You will find this within the "Tables" section of the toolbar. A new window will be opened.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 5: Click on the OK button, at the base of the new window. By clicking this button, you will create your table.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Note: If your data set includes cells at the top that act as column headers, check the "My table has headers" box before hitting the OK button.

Choose Table Style

Step 1: Navigate to the Design tab, which is located in the green ribbon at the top of the Excel interface. Clicking on this will display the toolbar for designing your table directly beneath the green ribbon.

How To Create A Table With Multiple Columns And Rows

Step 2: Choose a design scheme. It can be done by clicking on any colored squares in the "Table Styles" section of the Design toolbar. Doing so will change the color and style of your table accordingly.

How To Create A Table With Multiple Columns And Rows


Step 3: If you wish to view more design options, click on the downward-facing arrow to the right of the colored squares. It will allow you to scroll through various design alternatives.

Step 4: Evaluate additional design settings. In the "Table Style Options" area of the toolbar, you have the option to select or deselect any of the following boxes: First Column, Header Row, Banded Columns, Total Row, Banded Rows, Last Column, and Filter Button.

How To Create A Table With Multiple Columns And Rows


Step 5: Once satisfied with your design choices, click the Home tab. This action will bring you back to the Home toolbar while retaining all the changes made to your table.

How To Create A Table With Multiple Columns And Rows


Filter A Table

Step 1: Begin by accessing the filter options. It can be achieved by clicking the downward arrow next to the column header you wish to modify. You'll see a drop-down menu when you do this.

Create A Table In Excel With/Without Date


Step 2: Please ensure that the "Header Row" and "Filter" options are activated under the "Table Style Options" section on the Design tab.

Step 3: Select your desired filter from the presented drop-down menu.Typically, two sorting options areThere are typically two sorting options: "Sort Smallest to Largest" and "Sort Largest to Smallest."

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 4: Additional filtering choices might be present based on your dataset, such as "Sort by Color" or "Number Filters." If these are available, you may select one and proceed to choose a filter from the secondary menu that appears.

Step 5: If prompted, click on "OK". Depending on the chosen filter, you may need to specify a range or another data type before proceeding. Once done, your chosen filter will be applied to your table.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


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WPS Office guarantees smooth compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, eliminating the hassles of file conversion. It caters to students, teachers, business professionals, and financiers, offering features from note-taking to financial analysis.

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How to Make a Table in WPS Spreadsheet?

Step 1: Open your WPS Spreadsheet and go to the datasheet where you want to create the table.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 2: Highlight the area you want to turn into a table. This area contains your data.

Step 3: Select "Insert" from the application's menu.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 4: In the Insert tab, find and click the "Table" button.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily’

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily’


Step 4: Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key Ctrl+L to directly open the dialog box for creating a table.

Step 5: In the dialog box, select the data area and ensure that the "My table has headers" option is checked if your table includes headers.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 6: After creating the table, you will notice that WPS Spreadsheet provides several built-in table templates. They can be found under the "Table Tools" tab.

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily

How To Create A Table In Excel Easily


Step 7: Choose the style that suits your preferences and apply it to your table with a single click.

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FAQs

What Are the Three Types of Tables in Excel?

In Excel, data can be organized using three types of tables: Simple (or "Gray Cell") Tables for basic arrangement, Excel Tables introduced in 2007 for dynamic manipulation, and PivotTables with a Tabular Report Layout, introduced in 2010 for advanced data analysis and summarization.

How to Name a Table in Excel?

There are multiple ways to name a table in Excel. You can enter the desired name in the Table Name box from the Table Design tab. You can also use the Navigation Pane by selecting the table and renaming it there. Alternatively, if you use the Name Manager, you can define a new name for the table.  

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide on How to Easily Create a Table in Excel. Excel tables, being highly organized and structured storage spaces for data, serve a crucial role in optimal data management, bringing order, connection, and easy accessibility to scattered data. The article also provides detailed steps on choosing table style and filtering tables for better data handling.

Moving on to WPS Office, this platform has a versatile and free suite of office tools compatible across multiple platforms. With smooth compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, WPS Office eliminates the hassles of file conversion. It caters to a diverse audience, offering features from note-taking to financial analysis. The tool's user-friendly interface, real-time collaboration capabilities, and online PDF editing make it an ideal choice. Hence, WPS Office is worth trying for a simplified yet proficient experience.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.