Break, Split & Merge Cells, Rows, and Tables

This tutorial covers the following topics:

1. Table Break
2. Row Break
3. Split Cells
4. Merge Cells
5. Movel Cells, Rows, or Columns

Table Break

Follow these steps to break a table into two separate tables:

1. Select or click the row where you want the break to occur.
2. Click Layout contextual tab.
3. Click Split Table in the Merge group.
4. The table will split above the selected row.

To break a table into two pages:

1. Click any cell in the row where you want the break to occur.
2. Press Ctrl+Enter.
3. The table will split into two pages.

Row Break

You can use the Allow row to break across pages option when you need to keep particular rows together, see the following example:

Follow these steps to allow a row to span on two pages:

1. Select the row (or click anywhere in the row).
2. Click Properties in the Table group of the Layout tab (or right-click the selection and choose Table Properties from the shortcut menu).
3. Click the Row tab.
4. Uncheck the Allow row to break across pages check box.
5. Click OK.

Split Cells

Splitting cells is the opposite of merging cells. Follow these steps to divide a cell into multiple cells:

1. Select the cell, row, or column you want to split.
2. Click Layout contextual tab.
3. Click Split Cells in the Merge group.
4. The Split Cells dialog box appears.
5. Enter the number of columns and rows.
6. Press OK.

If you checked the Merge Cells Before Split check box, all the selected cells will be merged into one cell, and then split into the numbers of rows and columns you set. If unchecked, each selected cell will be converted to the requested numbers of columns (you can not set the number of rows when the box is unchecked).

Merge Cells

Mostly you merge the first row of the table for making the table’s inner heading. In the following example, month May needs to occupy the first row in a bold and large format to give a clear update on what the table is all about:

To merge cells:

1. Select cells, row, or column you want to merge.
2. Click Layout contextual tab.
3. Click Merge Cells in the Merge group.

Moving Rows and Columns

To move rows or columns:

1. Select the rows or columns (or cell) you want to move.
2. Drag the selection to the new location.
3. The table rows or columns are relocated as you specified.

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More “Working with Word Tables” Tutorials

1. Insert Tables
2. Insert and Delete Rows, Columns and Cells
3. Wrap text around the table
4. Table Borders and Shading
5. Select Table, View Gridlines, Use Table Properties
6. Resize tables, rows, columns, and cells
7. Repeat heading rows on next pages
8. Break, Split & Merge Cells, Rows, and Tables
9. Set Table & Cell Alignment and Change Text Direction
10. Use Formula in Tables and Paragraphs