Creating some space to each cell is a pretty easy way to add some interest to your table. This same technique will also add a break between the data or text in a busy table.
The default table in Word 2010 has margins of .08 on the left and right and when you create a table Word will add those margins for you.
Follow along below to learn how to create space at the top and bottom of your table cells:
- Click on the Insert tab on your Ribbon and click Table in the Tables group.
- Select three columns and five rows.
- Select the entire table by clicking the Move handle at the top left-hand corner of your table.
- Click the contextual Layout tab.
- In the Alignment group, click the Cell Margins option. In version 2003, right-click your table and select Table Properties. In the Table click Options.
- In the resulting dialog box, change the top and bottom settings to .08.
- Click OK.
Follow these steps to create space between the cells:
- Repeat the first two steps above.
- In the resulting dialog box, select the Allow Spacing Between Cells option and change the setting to 0.8.
- Click OK.
I think you can see the benefit of this, but let’s take it a step further. We can add space by making the cell borders disappear. Create another table like the one you used above.
Follow the steps below:
- Select your table.
- Click the Contextual Design tab.
- In the Table Styles group, click the Borders drop-down and select Borders and Shading. In version 2003, right-click your table and select Table Properties. In the Table tab, click Borders and Shading.
- In the resulting dialog box, select white from the Color dropdown and select a large point size from the Width area. Select white if your document has a background color of white. You match the background of your table’s cell so the borders will disappear.
- Click the Shading tab.
- Select a color for the cell background.
- Click OK.
