Google Doc How to Format Table — Step-by-Step Guide

If you use Google Docs for professional documents, reports, or proposals, you’ve probably inserted a table at some point. But creating a clean, well-formatted table can feel confusing if you’re unsure where to start. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to format a table in Google Docs , so your documents look polished and professional. Plus, we’ll introduce you to Formswrite.com , a handy tool that lets you convert your Google Docs into forms in just one click — perfect for surveys, applications, or quizzes.

Step-by-Step: How to Format a Table in Google Docs

**1. Insert a Table ** To begin, place your cursor where you want the table. Then go to the top menu:Insert→Table→ Select the number of rows and columns you want.Your table will appear immediately in the document.

**2. Adjust Row and Column Size ** Hover over the lines between cells until your cursor changes to a double-sided arrow. Click and drag to resize rows or columns manually. For precise dimensions:Right-click on a cell →Table properties→ AdjustColumn widthorRow height.

**3. Add or Delete Rows and Columns ** To add or delete rows or columns, right-click inside any cell. Use options like:

1. Insert row above/below
2. Insert column left/right
3. Delete roworDelete column

**4. Align Text Within Cells ** Highlight the cell(s), then use the toolbar to change alignment:

1. Horizontal alignment (left, center, right)
2. Vertical alignment: Right-click →Table properties→Cell vertical alignment

**5. Merge Cells for Custom Layouts ** Need to combine cells for headings or formatting?Highlight the cells you want to merge → Right-click →Merge cells.

**6. Apply Borders and Shading ** To customize the table's appearance:Right-click →Table properties→ ChooseTable border width, color, andCell background color. This is great for headers, sections, or highlighting important data.

**7. Format Text Inside the Table ** Just like regular text, you can change font, size, color, and style within any table cell. Highlight the text and use the toolbar to format it as needed.

Bonus Tip: Turn Your Google Doc into a Fillable Form

Once you’ve formatted your table, you may want to turn your document into an interactive form. For example, turning a signup sheet, survey, or worksheet into a fillable form. That’s where Formswrite.com comes in.

**Formswrite is not a plugin — it’s a website where you can paste your Google Doc link and convert it into a Google Form in one click ** . It’s simple, fast, and ideal for educators, HR teams, and content creators. Try it out and streamline your data collection process instantly!

FAQ: Google Docs Table Formatting