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

Q: Can I center a table in Google Docs? A: Yes. Click on the table → Use the toolbar to choose alignment → Select “Center”.

Q: How do I delete a table? A: Click on the table to highlight it → PressDeleteorBackspace.

Q: Can I copy and paste tables between Docs? A: Absolutely. Just copy (Cmd/Ctrl + C) and paste (Cmd/Ctrl + V) into another Google Doc.

Q: What if my table looks uneven? A: Right-click →Distribute rowsorDistribute columnsto even them out.