Create and Format Tables in PowerPoint

Creating a table is a great and easy way to enrich your PowerPoint presentation.

Tables can be as straightforward as a simple arrangement of columns and rows or can take the form of sophisticated infographics. Whether simple or elaborate, tables serve various purposes, such as comparing data and summarizing information.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create and format tables in PowerPoint from scratch. Additionally, we’ll cover how to download ready-to-use infographic tables from pre-designed templates.

Creating a Table

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want the table to be placed.
2. Click on Insert, then select the Table option. This will open a submenu, allowing you to configure your table. For this tutorial, we’ll choose a table with four columns and four rows. You can create a table with as many columns and rows as you wish.
3. After creating the table, move it by hovering your cursor over it until it turns into a cross. Click and drag it to your desired location.

Pro tip: Pay attention to the red visual guidelines that appear as you move elements around. They help you align your table with other elements on the slide.

4. If you need more rows or columns, you can add them by right-clicking on a cell, selecting Insert, and choosing your desired option.
5. To delete rows or columns, right-click and select Delete.

Formatting the Style of a Table

1. You can change the color of your table by using the Table Design option. Click on one cell and drag your cursor over the cells you want to style.
2. Select the desired color and line style. You can customize this using options like Pen Style, Pen Weight, and Pen Color.
3. To apply the style to all the cells, go to Borders → All Borders.

4. To make a cell’s border transparent, apply the color used for the slide’s background. For instance, to change the top-left cell, select it, choose the appropriate shade under Pen Color, and select Borders → Top Border → Left Border.

5. Resize your table by clicking on it and dragging any of its corners inward or outward.

Pro tip: Hold Shift while resizing to maintain the table’s proportions.

Creating Content in a Table

1. To start entering text, double-click on a cell and type your content.

2. Fill in the cells with numbers and concise phrases. If you need to write longer sentences, keep them brief.
3. To edit the typography, click and drag your cursor over the text you want to modify. You can adjust Font, Font Size, and Font Color. Using the theme’s typefaces and colors will help maintain visual coherence.
4. It’s advisable to use Bold for headings. This enhances the visibility of titles, establishes hierarchy, and improves readability.

5. For added impact, consider contrasting two different typefaces. The more distinct they are, the better the contrast, as seen in the combination of Open Sans with Lilita One.

6. Use the Align feature to center your text. Generally, centered text looks better in tables.

Adding a Table from a Template

1. Alternatively, you can adapt any of our table infographic templates. Download the PowerPoint template and choose from various ready-to-use options.

2. To insert a design into your PowerPoint presentation, simply copy and paste it (Ctrl C + Ctrl V).

Pro tip: While standard tables consist of cells, infographic versions can take on various formats and styles, such as lists or element blocks. If you wish to use the entire infographic, click and drag over its area to select and copy it, then paste it.

3. Once inserted, you can edit the design as needed. Resize it by selecting the infographic and dragging it inward or outward.
4. Style the infographic to match your presentation’s overall theme. Use options like Shape Fill, Shape Outline, and the previously mentioned text formatting options.

Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to create and format tables in PowerPoint effectively.