Chapter 5: Introducing Tables
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The range is converted to a table (using the default table style), and the Table Tools ➪ Design tab
of the Ribbon appears.Note
Excel may guess the table’s dimensions incorrectly if the table isn’t separated from other information by at
least one empty row or column. If Excel guesses incorrectly, just specify the exact range for the table in the
Create Table dialog box. Better yet, click Cancel and rearrange your worksheet such that the table is separated
from your other data by at least one blank row or column. n
To create a table from an empty range, just select the range and choose Insert ➪ Tables ➪ Table.
Excel creates the table, adds generic column headers (such as Column1 and Column2), and
applies table formatting to the range.Changing the Look of a Table ...........................................................................................
When you create a table, Excel applies the default table style. The actual appearance depends on
which document theme is used in the workbook. If you prefer a different look, you can easily
change the entire look of the table.Select any cell in the table and choose Table Tools ➪ Design ➪ Table Styles. The Ribbon shows
one row of styles, but if you click the bottom of the scrollbar to the right, the table styles group
expands, as shown in Figure 5.5. The styles are grouped into three categories: Light, Medium, and
Dark. Notice that you get a “live” preview as you move your mouse among the styles. When you
see one you like, just click to make it permanent. And yes, some are really ugly and practically
illegible.For a different set of color choices, choose Page Layout ➪ Themes ➪ Themes to select a different
document theme. For more information about themes, see Chapter 6.Tip
If applying table styles isn’t working, it’s probably because the range was already formatted before you con-
verted it to a table. Table formatting doesn’t override normal formatting. To clear existing background fill col-
ors, select the entire table and choose Home ➪ Font ➪ Fill Color ➪ No Fill. To clear existing font colors,
choose Home ➪ Font ➪ Font Color ➪ Automatic. To clear existing borders, choose Home ➪ Font ➪
Borders ➪ No Borders. After you issue these commands, the table styles should work as expected. n
If you’d like to create a custom table style, choose Table Tools ➪ Design ➪ Table Styles ➪ New
Table Style to display the New Table Quick Style dialog box shown in Figure 5.6. You can custom-
ize any or all of the 12 table elements. Select an element from the list, click Format, and specify the
formatting for that element. When you’re finished, give the new style a name and click OK. Your
custom table style will appear in the Table Styles gallery in the Custom category. Unfortunately,
custom table styles are available only in the workbook in which they were created.