A table organises information in rows and columns so a reader can compare values quickly. Briefs ask for a given number of columns, a heading row, and sometimes alignment or shading. Consistent means every heading looks the same and every column of the same type is aligned the same way.
What makes a table correct?
- The heading row is formatted differently from the data (for example bold) and is identical in style across all columns.
- Text columns are left aligned. Number columns are right aligned, or aligned on the decimal point, so digits line up.
- Column widths add up to no more than the text width.
- If the table runs onto a second page, the heading row repeats.
- Each cell holds one piece of data. Do not use spaces or tabs to fake columns.
Step by step
- Count the columns and rows the brief asks for and insert the table.
- Type the headings in the first row, then the data.
- Set each column width and add them up.
- Format the heading row once, then apply the same format to all heading cells.
- Set alignment by column type.
- Turn on repeat header rows if the table may break across pages.
Worked example
Invented data for the “Taman Harapan Reading Club” events table. Text width is 170 mm. The brief asks for four columns: Event, Date, Time, Room.
Step 1. Choose widths: Event 60 mm, Date 40 mm, Time 30 mm, Room 40 mm.
Step 2. Add them: 60 + 40 + 30 + 40 = 170 mm. This matches the text width exactly.
| Event | Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story hour | 6 Dec | 10:00 | Room A |
| Book swap | 13 Dec | 14:00 | Room B |
Step 3. Bold the four headings, with the same font size and shading.
Step 4. Left align all text. Times stay left aligned because they are labels, not quantities.
A common mistake
A student bolds only the first heading and changes the shading of the last.
Wrong result: headings that do not match. A marker looking for consistent headings sees four different styles.
The correction is to select the whole heading row and apply one format to it in a single step.
Check yourself
1. A table has four columns with widths of 55 mm, 35 mm, 35 mm and 45 mm. Does it fit a 170 mm text width?
Show answer
55 + 35 + 35 + 45 = 170 mm. It fits exactly.
2. Five equal columns must fill 170 mm. How wide is each?
Show answer
170 ÷ 5 = 34 mm.
3. A price column holds 4.50, 12.00 and 0.75. How should it be aligned?
Show answer
Right aligned (or decimal aligned) so the decimal points line up in a vertical line.
Where this leads next
Continue with placing a header, footer and page number. If your table is wider than the page, see verifying print preview. The ICT practical task and evidence checker can list the table checks for you.
Table settings are easy to forget when you rush. A teacher in online one-to-one ICT tuition can time you on a table task and point out what you skipped.