How to Insert a Table in Google Docs

Whether you need to organise research data, build a structured comparison chart, create a simple calendar, or lay out a professional resume, inserting a table into Google Docs is one of the most effective ways to keep information clearly aligned and easy to scan. The process is visual and intuitive, and tables can be fully customised after insertion to match the style of your document.

How to Insert a Table on a Computer (Web Browser)

1. Open your document in Google Docs in your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari).
2. Click on the exact position in your document where you want the table to appear. Your text cursor will place itself there.
3. In the top menu bar, click on Insert.
4. Hover your mouse over Table in the dropdown menu. A grid of small squares will appear as a visual selector.
5. Slide your mouse across the grid to highlight the dimensions of your table. The squares light up to show how many columns (horizontal) and rows (vertical) you are selecting. The dimensions are shown above the grid (e.g., “3 × 4”).
6. Click your mouse once you have the right size selected, and the table will instantly appear in your document.

You are not locked into this size. Right-click anywhere inside the table at any time and select “Insert row below,” “Insert row above,” “Insert column left,” or “Insert column right” to expand the table without recreating it from scratch.

How to Insert a Table on the Mobile App

The Google Docs mobile app supports table insertion on both Android and iOS, though the interface is slightly different from the desktop version.

1. Open the Google Docs app on your iPhone or Android and open the document you want to edit.
2. Ensure you are in editing mode by tapping the blue pencil icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap the screen at the position where you want to place the table to position your cursor there.
4. Tap the “+” (Plus) icon located at the very top of the keyboard toolbar.
5. A menu of insertable elements will appear. Scroll through the options and tap Table.
6. Use the plus and minus arrow controls to select the exact number of Columns and Rows you want.
7. Tap Insert table to add it to your document.

How to Resize Columns and Rows

After inserting a table, you will likely want to adjust the column widths to give more space to certain types of content.

• On desktop: Hover your mouse cursor directly over any of the grey vertical lines separating the columns until the cursor changes into a two-headed horizontal arrow. Click and drag the line to the left or right to resize that column. You can do the same with horizontal row dividers to change row height.
• Precise column width: Right-click inside any cell and select Table properties. In the panel that opens on the right side of the screen, you can type in an exact column width measurement.

How to Customise Table Borders and Cell Colours

Google Docs gives you considerable control over a table’s visual appearance.

1. Right-click anywhere inside the table and select Table properties.
2. In the right-hand panel, you can adjust:
   • Table border: Change the border line colour, width (thickness), and style (solid, dashed, or dotted).
   • Cell background colour: Select specific cells first (by clicking and dragging to highlight them), then change the fill colour in Table properties to colour-code your data.
   • Table alignment and indentation: Control how the table is positioned relative to the document margins.