Create or delete an Excel table

To simplify managing and analyzing a group of related data, you can turn a range of cells into an Excel table (previously known as an Excel list). An Excel tableA range of cells in a sheet that has been formatted as a table and can be managed independently from the data in other rows and columns on the sheet. helps you manage data in the table independently from data in other rows and columns on the sheet.

If you decide later that you don't want to work with your data in a table, you can convert the table back to a regular range while keeping any table style formatting that you applied. When you no longer need a table, you can delete it.

Do any of the following:

Create a table

1. On a sheet, select the range of cells that you want to include in the table.

   The cells can be empty or can contain data; if they contain data, the first row becomes the header row.

2. On the Tables tab, under Table Options, click the arrow next to New, and then click Insert Table with Headers.

   

   Tip  You can also insert a table by pressing CONTROL+T

3. If you do not want to display table headers, on the Tables tab, under Table Options, clear Header Row.

   	Notes
   	If you clear the header row after the table is created, the data in the header row is cleared as well; if you reselect the header row, the header row data returns. Workbooks with Excel tables can't be shared. If you need to share a workbook after you have created tables, follow the steps given in the next procedure, Convert a table to a range of data.

4. If necessary, add or remove rows or columns in the table.

   To	Do this
   Add a column to the right of the other columns	Add data to a cell in the column to the right of the other columns, and then press ENTER.
   Add a column between other columns	Hold down CONTROL and click a cell immediately to the right of where you want to add the new column, point to Insert, and then click Table Columns to the Left.
   Add a row to the bottom of the table	Add data to a cell in the row immediately below the last row in the table, and then press ENTER.
   Add a row between other rows	Hold down CONTROL and click a cell in the row immediately below where you want to add the new row, point to Insert, and then click Table Rows Above.
   Delete a column	Hold down CONTROL and click a cell in the column that you want to delete, point to Delete, and then click Table Columns.
   Delete a row	Hold down CONTROL and click a cell in the row that you want to delete, point to Delete, and then click Table Rows.

Convert a table to a range of data

1. Click anywhere in the table.

2. On the Tables tab, under Tools, click Convert to Range.

   

Note  Table features are no longer available after you convert the table back to a range. The row headers no longer include the sort and filter arrows, and structured references (references that use table names) that were used in formulas revert to regular cell references. To remove the table formatting, select the cells that have the formatting, click the Edit menu, point to Clear, and then click Formats.

Delete a table

When you delete a table, both the formatting and the data are deleted.

1. On a sheet, select a whole table.

2. On the Home tab, under Cells, click Delete.

   

   Tip  You can also delete a table by pressing DELETE ⌦. If your keyboard does not have a forward delete key, press DEL+FN.