How to Create and Edit Tables in Google Docs

To create a table in Google Docs, click Insert > Table and choose how many rows and columns you want (up to 20 by 20). Right-click any cell to add or delete rows and columns. For row height, column width, cell alignment and other settings, right-click the table and choose Table options.

These steps come from Google’s Add and edit tables help page.

In this article:

• Add a table
• Add or delete rows and columns
• Resize rows, columns and tables
• Style cells and align text
• Merge, split or move cells
• Pin header rows on long tables
• Sort a table
• Move a table and wrap text
• FAQs

How to Add a Table in Google Docs

1. Click where you want the table.
2. Click Insert > Table.
3. Move over the grid to pick the number of rows and columns, then click. Google says tables can be as large as 20 x 20 cells.

Result: An empty table appears at your cursor, ready for text.

How to Add or Delete Rows and Columns

• Add: right-click a cell and choose Insert row above, Insert row below, Insert column left or Insert column right.
• Delete: right-click a cell in the row or column and choose Delete row, Delete column or Delete table.
• Quick tip: pressing Tab in the last cell adds a new row.

To remove a whole table, see how to delete a table in Google Docs.

How to Resize Rows, Columns and Tables

• Drag: move your cursor over a row or column gridline. When it becomes a two-sided arrow, click and drag.
• Make them even: right-click the table and choose Distribute rows or Distribute columns.
• Exact size: select cells, go to Format > Table > Table options (or right-click and choose Table options), and enter the width and height under Column or Row. Click OK.

Result: Your rows and columns are the size you want.

How to Style Cells and Align Text

Select the cells you want to change, then use the toolbar to set the Border color, Border width, Border dash and Background color.

In Table options, under Cell, you can choose the vertical alignment (top, middle or bottom) and enter the cell padding. To center the whole table on the page, use the table alignment setting in Table options. For horizontal alignment of text inside cells, select the cells and use the align buttons in the toolbar.

How to Merge, Split or Move Cells

• Merge: highlight the cells, right-click and choose Merge cells. Choose Unmerge cells to reverse it.
• Split: right-click a cell, choose Split cell, enter the number of rows and columns, and click Split.
• Move a row: hover in the left column, point to the drag handle until a hand appears, and drag the row up or down.
• Move a column: hover in the top row, point to the drag handle, and drag the column left or right.

Result: Your table has the layout you need, such as a title row across the top.

How to Pin Header Rows on Long Tables

If a table runs across pages, Google says you can turn rows into header rows that repeat at the top of each page. In pageless documents, pinned rows stay visible at the top of the window.

1. Click anywhere in the table.
2. Go to Format > Table > Table options.
3. Under Row, check Pin header row(s) and choose how many rows to pin.
4. Click OK.

You can also right-click a row and select Pin header up to this row. In the same Row settings, you can uncheck the option that allows a row to break across pages, so its content stays together. Google notes that option needs the document to be in pages format.

How to Sort a Table in Google Docs

Right-click the table, choose Sort table, then pick ascending or descending order. You can also hover in the top row and use the Sort table control. Google’s tip: pin header rows first, because pinned rows aren’t sorted.

How to Move a Table and Wrap Text

Google says your document must be in pages format for these options:

• Drag it: point to a corner of the table until the move icon appears, then drag the table where you want it.
• Quick layouts: right-click the table, choose Table options > Quick layouts, and pick a layout.
• Wrap text: in Table options > Table, select Wrap text under Style. You can set the margin from the document text and choose Move with text or Fix on page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest table I can insert?

Google says tables can be as large as 20 x 20 cells when you insert them. You can add more rows and columns afterward.

How do I make text columns instead of a table?

See how to make columns in Google Docs.

Can I add a chart from Google Sheets?

Yes. See how to insert a Google Sheets chart into a Google Doc.

If your table holds temperatures or angles, see how to insert a degree symbol in Google Docs.

If your table started as a list, you may also want to know how to alphabetize a list in Google Docs.