Converting between paragraphs and tables

You can convert a block of text consisting of words, sentences, or paragraphs into a table. You specify the number of columns and the delimiter(s) that will determine how the content is divided among cells.

You can also convert a table into a series of paragraphs. The table will be scanned from left to right and then top to bottom, and the contents of each cell will become a separate paragraph.

To convert a block of text into a table
  1. Select the desired block of text.
  2. On the Insert menu, point to Table, click the triangle under Table, and then click Convert Text to Table.
  3. In the Columns box, enter the desired number of columns for the table. (The Rows box will display the number of rows the table will have, based on the selected text and the selected delimiter. You cannot specify the number of rows.)
  4. Under Delimiter, click the appropriate option depending on how you want to divide the selected text among cells:
    • To put each paragraph into its own cell, click Paragraph breaks.
    • To put each paragraph or part of a paragraph following a line break into its own cell, click Line breaks and paragraph breaks.
    • To put each word into its own cell, click Spaces. (You can also use multiple spaces as delimiters by entering a value of 2 or higher in the box.)
    • To put the whole selection into a single cell, click No delimiters.
    • To use another delimiter or multiple delimiters, click Other and type the desired delimiter(s) in the box.
  5. Click OK.
To convert a table into paragraphs
  1. Place the insertion point inside the desired table.
  2. On the Layout menu, go to Convert and Calculate, and then click Convert Table to Text.
Related topics

Convert Text to Table dialog box

Converting between paragraphs and tables