Creating and Using Table

1. Learning Objectives

2. What is a Table?

Tables are useful when information needs to be presented in a structured form. They make comparisons and relationships between pieces of information easier to understand.

3. Components of a Table

4. Example of a Table

In this example, the first row contains the column headings. Each subsequent row represents one student's record.

5. Why Use Tables?

6. Creating a Table in LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice Writer provides several ways to create a table. The easiest method for beginners is to use the table insertion command.

Method 1: Using the Insert Table Command

1. Place the cursor at the location where the table is required.
2. Choose Table → Insert Table.
3. Specify the required number of columns.
4. Specify the required number of rows.
5. Choose any required table options.
6. Click Insert.

7. Creating a Table Using the Toolbar

Writer also provides a table-related toolbar or insertion control that can be used to select the required number of rows and columns.

Basic Procedure

1. Place the cursor where the table should appear.
2. Open the table insertion control.
3. Choose the desired row-and-column grid.
4. Insert the table.

8. Entering Data into a Table

After creating a table, information can be entered directly into its cells.

Steps

1. Click inside the required cell.
2. Type the required text or value.
3. Move to another cell using the mouse or keyboard.
4. Continue entering information.

9. Moving Between Cells

10. Editing Table Content

Table content can be edited just like ordinary document text.

• Click inside a cell to edit its content.
• Select text within a cell to change or delete it.
• Use Cut, Copy and Paste to move or duplicate content.
• Use Undo and Redo when necessary.
• Use Find and Replace for suitable repeated text.

11. Adding Rows

Rows can be inserted above or below an existing row.

General Procedure

1. Place the cursor in the row near where the new row is required.
2. Use the table insertion controls or the Table menu.
3. Choose whether the row should be inserted above or below.
4. Specify the required number of rows.
5. Insert the row or rows.

12. Adding Columns

Columns can be added to the left or right of an existing column.

General Procedure

1. Place the cursor in the relevant column.
2. Open the table insertion controls.
3. Choose to insert a column to the left or right.
4. Specify the number of columns.
5. Apply the operation.

13. Deleting Rows and Columns

Unnecessary rows or columns can be removed without deleting the entire table.

General Steps

1. Select or place the cursor in the row or column.
2. Open the appropriate table command.
3. Choose to delete the selected row or column.
4. Confirm or complete the operation if required.

14. Changing Row Height and Column Width

The dimensions of rows and columns can be adjusted to improve readability and fit content appropriately.

Using the Mouse

1. Move the pointer to the boundary between rows or columns.
2. When the resize pointer appears, drag the boundary.
3. Release the mouse button at the desired size.

Why Resize?

• To fit longer text.
• To make headings easier to read.
• To reduce unnecessary empty space.
• To improve overall table appearance.

15. Merging Cells

Common Use

Merging is particularly useful for creating a table title that spans several columns.

General Steps

1. Select the adjacent cells to be combined.
2. Use the table command for Merge Cells.
3. The selected cells become one cell.
4. Enter or format the required content.

16. Splitting Cells

General Steps

1. Place the cursor in the cell to be split.
2. Choose the Split Cells command.
3. Specify the required number of cells.
4. Choose the direction or arrangement if available.
5. Apply the operation.

17. Merge vs Split

18. Aligning Content in Cells

Content inside a table cell can be aligned horizontally and, where supported, vertically.

Horizontal Alignment

• Left
• Centre
• Right
• Justified

Vertical Alignment

• Top
• Centre
• Bottom

19. Formatting a Table

A table can be formatted to make it clearer and more attractive.

20. Table Borders

Borders visually separate cells and help readers understand the table structure.

Border Properties

• Which borders are visible.
• Border line style.
• Border thickness.
• Border colour.

21. Cell and Row Background

Background shading can be used to distinguish headings, categories or important rows.

22. Repeating a Heading Row

Long tables may extend over several pages. A heading row can be configured to repeat at the top of subsequent pages where the feature is available.

Why is this Useful?

• Readers can identify columns on every page.
• Large tables become easier to understand.
• Printed reports become more usable.

23. Sorting Table Data

Table data can be sorted when the information has a meaningful order, such as alphabetical or numerical order.

Examples

• Sort student names alphabetically.
• Sort marks from highest to lowest.
• Sort products by price.
• Sort dates chronologically.

24. Designing an Effective Table

• Give the table a meaningful title.
• Use clear column headings.
• Keep similar information together.
• Use consistent alignment.
• Avoid unnecessary decoration.
• Keep column widths appropriate to the content.
• Use borders where they improve readability.
• Use shading selectively.
• Check spelling and numerical values carefully.

25. Practical Activity: Create a Report Card 💻

26. Practical Activity: Create a Weekly Timetable

27. Competency-Based Questions

28. Merging Tables

When working with tables, distinguish between merging cells and merging tables:

29. Copying a Table

A complete table can be copied and pasted when the same structure or information is required elsewhere.

General Method

1. Select the table.
2. Use Ctrl + C to copy it.
3. Place the cursor at the destination.
4. Use Ctrl + V to paste it.

30. Deleting a Table

If an entire table is no longer required, it can be removed using the appropriate table deletion command.

31. Table vs. Ordinary Text

32. Common Mistakes While Working with Tables

33. Good Practices for Table Design

• Give the table a clear purpose.
• Use descriptive column headings.
• Keep related information in the same row.
• Use consistent formatting.
• Align numerical data consistently.
• Use borders to clarify structure.
• Use shading to highlight important sections.
• Keep the table compact but readable.
• Check all spelling, dates and numbers.
• Proofread the final table before printing or sharing.

34. Think About It 🤔

1. Why is a table better than ordinary text for presenting a timetable?
2. How many cells are present in a table with 6 rows and 4 columns?
3. What is the difference between a row and a column?
4. When should cells be merged?
5. When should a cell be split?
6. Why is it important to use meaningful column headings?
7. Why should a heading row be repeated in a long printed table?
8. What problems can occur if a row is deleted accidentally?

35. Key Terms

36. Lesson Recap

37. Homework 📝

1. Define a table. What are its main components?
2. Differentiate between a row, column and cell.
3. Explain any one method of creating a table in LibreOffice Writer.
4. Write the steps to add a row above an existing row.
5. Write the steps to add a column to the left of an existing column.
6. What is the difference between merging and splitting cells?
7. Explain how you can change the width of a column.
8. Why are table borders useful?
9. What is the purpose of repeating a table's heading row?
10. Create a Class IX report card using a table in LibreOffice Writer and format it appropriately.

38. Quick Assessment

1. What is a table?
2. What is a cell?
3. How many cells are there in a 5 × 4 table?
4. How can you create a table in Writer?
5. How do you add a new row?
6. How do you add a new column?
7. What is merging of cells?
8. What is splitting of cells?
9. Why are tables useful in documents?
10. What are three ways to format a table?