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Navigate Word Faster 4 - Whizzing through a Table with keyboard shortcuts.

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Navigate Word Faster 4 - Whizzing through a Table with keyboard shortcuts.

Tables are a great way to organize and present data in a clear and concise manner in Word. But did you know that you can navigate around a table in MS Word using only the keyboard? Here’s how:

Moving Around a Table

  1. Tab Key: The simplest way to move around a table is by using the Tab key. When you’re in a table, pressing the Tab key will move the cursor to the next cell. If you’re in the last cell of the table, pressing Tab will create a new row.
  2. Shift + Tab: To move to the previous cell, press Shift + Tab. This is the reverse of the Tab key function.
  3. Arrow Keys: You can also use the arrow keys to navigate around a table. The Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys will move the cursor up and down the column, while the Left Arrow and Right Arrow keys will move the cursor left and right along the row.

Selecting Cells, Rows, and Columns

  1. Shift + Arrow Keys: To select multiple cells, hold down the Shift key and use the arrow keys to extend the selection.
  2. Shift + Space: This shortcut selects an entire row. Make sure your cursor is somewhere in the row you want to select, then press Shift + Space.
  3. Ctrl + Space: Similarly, to select an entire column, use Ctrl + Space. Again, your cursor should be somewhere in the column you want to select.

Adding and Deleting Rows and Columns

  1. Tab Key: As mentioned earlier, if your cursor is in the last cell of the table, pressing the Tab key will create a new row at the bottom of the table.
  2. Alt + Shift + Up Arrow/Down Arrow: To move an entire row up or down, place your cursor in the row you want to move, then press Alt + Shift + Up Arrow or Alt + Shift + Down Arrow.
  3. Alt + Shift + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Similarly, you can move a column left or right using Alt + Shift + Left Arrow or Alt + Shift + Right Arrow.
  4. Alt + Shift + Enter: This shortcut adds a new row at the bottom of the table.
  5. Delete Key: To delete a row or column, first select it using the shortcuts mentioned above, then press the Delete key.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use these keyboard shortcuts, the more intuitive they will become. Happy typing!