Art of Presentations

Using Tables in PowerPoint [Everything You Need to Know]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

Using Tables in PowerPoint [Everything You Need to Know]

Using tables is a smart and efficient way to represent data in PowerPoint. It gives you the flexibility to show various permutations and combinations as well as make it simpler for your audience to understand the data.

But, it is often very difficult to work with tables in PowerPoint. The truth is, there are several options that are often either overlooked or unknown to people that can make their tables look really cool!

So, in this article, I’ll share with you a complete beginner’s guide on how to use tables in PowerPoint.

I do want to mention that sharing all of the information in just one article and keeping it readable is not possible. So, throughout the article, I shall link other detailed articles that go more in-depth into that topic! I would encourage you to open those articles that interest you for further information!

Now, without any further delay, let’s get started!

1. Add Tables in PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can insert a new blank table using the “Insert” tab. I’ve written a detailed article on adding tables to your PowerPoint presentation . Make sure you check it out for more tips!

Meanwhile, here’s one way to add a table in PowerPoint –

Step-1: Click on the “Insert” tab

presentation with tables

The first step is to open the “Insert” menu. To do so, click on the “Insert” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen. In the “Insert” menu,  click on the “Table” option and then click on the “Insert Table” option in the dropdown menu under the “Table” option.

Step-2: Set the number of columns and rows

presentation with tables

In the “Insert Table” dialog box, click on the “Number of columns” box and type in the number of columns you want to add to the table. Similarly, type in the preferred number of rows for the table in the “Number of rows” box.

Step-3: Click on the “OK” button

Now all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Insert Table” dialog box to insert the table.

2. How to Align Text in a Table in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can align the text in a cell, column, row, or the entire table both horizontally and vertically. You can do so by using the “Alignment” option. I cover this exclusively in my other article on how to align text in a table in PowerPoint . Make sure to check out that article!

That said, you should know the following steps at the very least in order to align text in a table correctly in PowerPoint –

Step-1: Click on the “Layout” tab

presentation with tables

The first step is to highlight the text that you want to align inside the table to select them. Then click on the “Layout” tab which is the last tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

Step-2: Select preferred alignment

presentation with tables

In the “Alignment” group of the “Layout” tab, you can now select your preferred alignment options. The options available for the horizontal alignment are “Left” , “Center” , and “Right” .

The vertical alignment options are available in the second row which are the “Top” , the “Middle” , and the “Bottom” . You can choose any combination of the vertical and horizontal alignment for the selected text in the table.

3. How to Move or Resize Table in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint also allows you to resize and move your table easily. Again, I go in-depth into this topic in my other article where I show different methods to move or resize a table in PowerPoint .

Here’s one way to change the size or position of a table. You will need to use the “Format Shape” option, follow the 4 simple steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Format Shape” option

presentation with tables

In the open slide, “Right Click” on the table that you want to move or resize. In the right-click menu, click on the “Format Shape” option to open the sidebar.

Step-2: Click on the “Size and Properties” option

presentation with tables

In the “Format Shape” sidebar located on the right side of the screen, you have to click on the “Shape Options” tab. Then click on the “Size and Properties” option which is the third icon under the “Shape Options” tab.

Step-3: Click on the “Size” option

presentation with tables

To resize the table, all you have to do now is click on the “Size” option in the “Format Shape” sidebar. This will expand the resize options that you can use to customize the size of the selected table.

Step-4: Click on the “Position” option

presentation with tables

To change the table position, all you have to do now is click on the “Position” option in the “Format Shape” sidebar. This will expand the reposition options that you can use to customize the position of the selected table inside the slide.

4. Using Table Styles in PowerPoint

The table style in Microsoft PowerPoint is a gallery of predesigned table designs that you can use inside your presentation slide.

You can access the table style options in the “Table Style” group of the “Table Design” tab. Click here to read more about how to use these table styles including how to copy tables style from one table to another.

To apply a table style to a selected table, follow the 2 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Table Design” tab

presentation with tables

You have to first access the contextual tabs for the table. To do so, click on a table to select it. Then click on the contextual tab “Table Design” from the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

Step-2: Click on the “Table Styles” gallery

presentation with tables

In the “Table Design” tab, you have to now click on the “More” option which is the downward arrow on the “Table Styles” gallery to expand it. Then all you have to do is click on your preferred table style for the selected table from the gallery.

5. Add Table Border in PowerPoint

The borders in a table in PowerPoint are easily insertable and removable. Read my other article to learn about different methods of adding a table border .

Meanwhile, here’s one way to add a table border using the “Borders” option.

presentation with tables

The first step is to click on the table to which you want to add borders. Then click on the “Table Design” tab from the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

Step-2: Click on the “Borders” option

presentation with tables

In the “Table Styles” group of the “Table Design” tab, click on the downward arrow by the “Borders” option. Then click on your preferred border option from the dropdown menu under the “Borders” option to add borders to the selected table.

6. Change Table Border Color in PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to customize the border color of individual cells, rows, columns, or the entire table in a slide.

In my other article on how to change table border color in PowerPoint , I show you how to customize the table border, and even for each cell, row, or column!

That said, here’s how to change the border color of the entire table –

presentation with tables

The first step is to click anywhere on the table to access the contextual tabs. Then click on the “Table Design” tab from the menu ribbon.

Step-2: Click on the “Pen Color” option

presentation with tables

In the “Draw Borders” group of the “Table Design” tab, click on the “Pen Color” option. Then select a preferred color from the dropdown menu under the “Pen Color” option.

Step-3: Click on the “Borders” option

presentation with tables

Now all you have to do is click on the “Borders” option in the “Table Styles” group to change the border color to the newly selected color.

7. Changing Table Color in PowerPoint

Using the “Format Shape” sidebar in Microsoft PowerPoint, you can change the color of the table. All you have to do is follow the 3 easy steps.

presentation with tables

The first step is to “Right Click” on the table where you want to add the color. Then click on the “Format Shape” option from the right-click menu.

Step-2: Click on the “Solid Fill” option

presentation with tables

In the “Format Shape” sidebar, click on the “Solid fill” option under the “Fill” section. This will expand the color fill options.

Step-3: Click on the “Color” box

presentation with tables

The next step is to click on the “Color” box. Now you can select a background color from the pop-up menu. You can also click on the “More Colors” option to access more colors.

8. How to Format a Table in PowerPoint?

The “Format Shape” option in PowerPoint contains various features that you can use to format a table inside the presentation slide.

To access the “Format Shape” option, all you have to do is “Right Click” on a table. Then click on the “Format Shape” option from the bottom of the right-click menu to open the “Format Shape” sidebar. You can now use the options available in the sidebar to format the table.

There are actually several other table formatting options that are available. To learn more about formatting tables in PowerPoint, check out my article here.

9. How to Insert a Pivot Table in PowerPoint?

Pivot tables are a special type of table where you can sort data during the presentation to tend to your audience’s understanding.

The process to insert a pivot table in PowerPoint from Excel needs some understanding and practice to do it right. To add a pivot table using the “Insert Object” feature, follow the 4 simple steps.

presentation with tables

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “Insert” tab. Then click on the “Object” option which is the bottom icon in the “Text” group of the “Insert” menu.

Step-2: Click on the “Create from file” option

presentation with tables

In the left column of the “Insert Object” dialog box, click on the “Create from file” option to insert an existing Excel file from your device to the PowerPoint slide.

Step-3: Click on the “Browse” option

presentation with tables

The next step is to click on the “Browse” button in the “Insert Object” dialog box to open the “Browse” dialog box. In the “Browse” dialog box, select the Excel sheet containing the pivot table and then click on the “Open” button at the bottom.

Step-4: Click on the “OK” button

presentation with tables

Click on the “Link” option in the “Insert Object” dialog box to add the hyperlink. Then all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box to insert the pivot table into the PowerPoint slide.

10. How to Insert a Table in PowerPoint Notes?

Not many people are aware that you can actually also insert a table in the notes section in PowerPoint.

You can use the “Notes View” option to add and read speaker notes. You can add any object including tables to your speaker notes. To learn about the detailed steps for adding, viewing, and editing tables in PowerPoint notes, read my article here .

To add a table in the “Notes View” , follow the 5 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Notes Page” option

presentation with tables

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “View” tab. In the “View” menu, click on the “Notes Page” option from the “Presentation Views” group.

Step-2: Click on the “Insert” tab

presentation with tables

The next step is to scroll down in the “Notes Page” to find the slide where you want to add the table. Then click on the “Insert” tab in the menu ribbon to open the “Insert” menu.

Step-3: Click on the “Insert Table” option

presentation with tables

Now all you have to do is click on the “Table” option in the “Insert” menu. Then click on the “Insert Table” option from the dropdown menu under the “Table” option.

Step-4: Select the number of columns and rows

presentation with tables

In the “Insert Table” dialog box, you can now type in the preferred number of columns and rows in the “Number of columns” box and the “Number of rows” box respectively.

Step-5: Click on the “OK” button

Finally, you can click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Insert Table” dialog box to insert the table into the slide notes.

11. How to Insert Table in PowerPoint from Excel?

The “Insert Table” feature in Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to only add new tables to your slide. To insert a table from Microsoft Excel, you can use the “ Paste Special ” feature in PowerPoint. You can read more about inserting a table in PowerPoint from excel in detail in my article here.

Here are a few steps involved in brief –

Step-1: Click on the “Copy” option

presentation with tables

The first step is to copy the Excel table. To do so, open the Microsoft Excel worksheet and highlight the preferred columns and rows to select them. Then “Right Click” on it and click on the “Copy” option. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+C” keys on your keyboard.

Step-2: Click on the “Paste Special” option

presentation with tables

Now you have to return to the PowerPoint file. In the “Paste” group of the “Home” tab, click on the downward arrow under the “Paste” icon. Then click on the “Paste Special” option from the dropdown menu under the “Paste” option.

Step-3: Click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option

presentation with tables

In the “Paste Special” dialog box, click on the “Paste” option from the left column. Then click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option from the “As” section in the middle of the dialog box.

Now all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Paste Special” dialog box to paste the Excel table into the open PowerPoint slide.

12. How to Animate Table in PowerPoint?

presentation with tables

The “Animations” tab in the menu ribbon in Microsoft PowerPoint lets you animate any object inside the presentation slides.

However, when you animate a table in PowerPoint, you can only apply a single animation style to the entire table. To animate the cells, rows, or columns of a table separately, you can follow some hacks.

I’ve covered these hacks in my other article where I show 4 ways to animate a table in PowerPoint . Make sure to give it a read!

13. How to Sort Table in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, there is actually no feature that allows you to sort a selected table.

However, you can export the table to Microsoft Word or to Microsoft Excel and sort it there. The “Sort” feature is only available in the tables in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

The process is a bit cumbersome. Nevertheless, I’ve covered the complete steps in my other article where I show detailed steps to sort a PowerPoint table .

14. Transpose Table in PowerPoint?

Lastly, sometimes, you need to convert the data from rows into columns and vice-versa. Unfortunately, PowerPoint doesn’t allow you to transpose a table on a slide!

However, I’ve shared an amazing hack to circumvent this problem by exporting the table in Excel. Check out my detailed article on how to transpose a table in PowerPoint .

Credit to cookie_studio  (on Freepik) for the featured image of this article (further edited).

Blog – Creative Presentations Ideas

October Special: Business Transformation PPT Templates

presentation table makeover powerpoint

4 Steps for a Good-looking PowerPoint Table

Peter

  • May 18, 2017
  • PowerPoint guides and tricks , PowerPoint templates for download , Tables for PowerPoint

Tables are used everywhere in business – price lists, KPI comparisons, project meetings, quarter review meet-ups, and accounting audits…? Table infographics are one of the most common ways to present data. Making a table in PowerPoint or Excel is simple and quick. However, usually, those tables look pretty basic and boring. It’s time to change that!

Read on to find out four easy steps you can follow to quickly change default data tables into more attractive and professional-looking table graphics.

All graphics can be found in the Creative Tables Graphics slides collection . Click on the pictures to see the details. You’ll find more table and diagram collections here.

All the presented table makeovers you’re about to see are done using only standard MS Office PowerPoint tools.  You don’t need any special software, only a bit of inspiration. Let’s have a quick view of how tables can be redesigned.

Before and After PowerPoint Table Redesign

Below you can see a standard table comparing three product features created in PowerPoint. If you use the standard table style it will look like this – a grid with black lines and plain white cells filling:

table ppt before redesign

Here’s an example of how such a table can be facelifted in a few steps to look consistent, and easier to read and remember.

Which table would resonate longer with your audience? Is the one above or below?

table graphics flat template

The best part is that it took me 5-10 minutes, using just colors, basic shapes, and a few simple symbols. So don’t worry, you don’t need to have profound design skills to achieve similar results.

For more table examples, check out this table graphics collection here.

Below you can see four steps that are easy to follow. Even if you don’t feel like a graphic designer, you can do it :).

1. Get rid of the heavy table grid

The table cell borders separate the content of your table cells. They are far less important than the content itself. Therefore it is a mistake to make them strong black as in the example. Make them look less important by replacing the high-contrast black grid with light gray (or any other color, which will suit your style, gray is one of the most neutral colors). You can also remove the borders completely if you have wide table margins. Here are two examples of such change:

table grid update graphics ppt

Believe me, your tables will look more elegant and professional without the default black borders.

Eventually, you can get rid only of the outside grid and it will also look better.

To edit the table border click on the table itself and then select in the PowerPoint top menu: Design Table Tab: Borders .

2. Add shapes to table columns and rows headers

The next step is to enhance the headers. Adding a simple arrow shape behind the table will do the trick.

Then adjust the colors of added shapes. Depending on what the goal of the presentation slide is, select the colors:

  • Use vivid colors like I did if you want people to focus on that part – in this case, the three products in my example.
  • Use calmer colors for less important parts (e.g. shades of gray or blue)

Don’t forget to check if the text on the header is still readable after you add colors. Ensure the contrast – change the header font color to white from black if needed.

flat shapes table header

3. Illustrate your PowerPoint table with icons

If you have a few more minutes and want to move your tables to the next level, enrich them further with illustrative symbols. Using icons related to the concepts and ideas creates a strong visual association. That will help your audience focus on the information you want to present to them.

In the product table example below, the three features are replaced with simple flat icons – a shield for security, a gauge for efficiency, and cogs representing production.

For increasing visual power I also replaced the third column with discrete Yes / No values but Check / Uncheck icons.

table icons ppt

If you need to represent a specific concept with a symbol, check the list of common business concept visualization ideas . We put together various concept visuals on how to illustrate ideas like strategy, competence, deadlines, taxes… Let us know if we missed anything.

By adding those small symbolic pictures you can focus people’s attention on the points you want: whether you want to emphasize the functionality of a product, the status of a project, or numeric values.

4. Highlight the key table cell content

Most probably there’s one key piece of information in the table you want to show in the context of other table data. Make this key value stand out. The easiest thing is to make the text or number bold or use a different color. However, to make it visually more attractive, I’d suggest other ways of highlighting it:

  • make the table cell dark and the text white. This way the whole cell will stand out.
  • add an extra shape e.g. a circle with an outline and transparent filling over the table. Or even better, add a hand-drawn swoosh shape . Using such a style will add a personal touch to the table – like you marked it with a pen on paper.

That’s all. Four tricks you can use to make your presentation tables fancier:

  • Replace the default black table grid
  • Add shapes under the table headers
  • Illustrate items with icons to create a mnemonic association
  • Highlight the key information in the table.

Most importantly, these simple do-it-yourself instructions will help you save time and create engaging infographic table designs using only PowerPoint shapes, markers, and icons. You can choose your favorite trick from above and try using it in every presentation (e.g. contrast colors, or icons), and see how it changes your slides.

If you like the slides above, you can download them directly here:

More resources to get inspired.

If you;re looking for more ideas on how to present tables in PowerPoint, check the following resources:

  • Add Uniqueness to Your Data Presentation with Creative PowerPoint Table Graphics
  • 7 Ways to Make PowerPoint Tables More Attractive and Clear
  • How to Make Infographic Tables Stand Out with Colorful Flat PowerPoint Design
  • How to Beautify a Table in PowerPoint

See the full instructions in this YouTube movie:

I hope this blog inspired you, and I’ll be happy to know if you could apply those steps in your presentation. If you have any other challenges that stop you from slide design, let me know in the comments, and I’ll be glad to share my advice.

Happy designing!

Subscribe to the newsletter  and follow our  YouTube channel  to get more design tips and slide inspiration.

Peter Zvirinsky CEO, Chief Slide Designer, Co-founder at infoDiagram.com

Peter

infoDiagram Co-founder, Visual Communication Expert

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Using Tables in PowerPoint Design: Tips for Impactful Slides

Trish Dixon

Tables are a fundamental tool in PowerPoint design, offering a simple and effective way to organize data and present it clearly. Whether you are presenting numbers, text, or comparisons, tables help to break down complex information into digestible bits, enhancing your slide’s readability. Learning how to integrate tables into PowerPoint design can elevate the impact of your presentations.

Why Use Tables in PowerPoint?

Using tables in PowerPoint can serve several purposes:

  • Data Organization : Tables allow you to organize content in rows and columns, making it easier for your audience to follow.
  • Comparison : They help in comparing different sets of information at a glance.
  • Visual Appeal : A well-designed table improves the visual aesthetics of your slide.

By utilizing tables effectively , your presentation can become more engaging and easier to understand.

How to Insert a Table in PowerPoint

Adding a table in PowerPoint is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

Steps to Insert a Table:

  • Open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to insert the table.
  • Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
  • Click on Table .
  • A grid will appear, allowing you to choose the number of rows and columns. You can either select them directly from the grid or click Insert Table for more specific options.
  • Adjust the table dimensions and click OK .

This method helps you quickly insert a basic table . However, for larger or more complex data, consider creating your table in Excel and importing it into PowerPoint.

Customizing Table Design in PowerPoint

Once you’ve added a table to your slide, you can customize it to match your presentation’s design. PowerPoint provides various formatting tools that allow you to tweak the style, layout , and colors of your table.

Table Style Options:

  • Table Styles : In the Table Tools tab, you’ll find preset table designs. Choose from light, medium , or dark styles based on your presentation theme.
  • Borders and Shading : You can modify the border color, thickness , and shading of each cell or the entire table for better readability and emphasis.

Steps to Customize a Table:

  • Click on the table to activate the Table Tools in the ribbon.
  • Under the Design tab, you can select different Table Styles .
  • Use the Shading option to fill cells with different colors.
  • Select Borders to adjust the outline of your table.

Customizing your table ensures that it blends well with the overall PowerPoint design and makes your data more appealing.

Adding Data to Your Table

Now that your table is in place, the next step is to input your data. Whether you are adding text, numbers, or even images, PowerPoint tables are versatile enough to handle various types of content.

Tips for Data Entry:

  • Text Alignment : Ensure that your text is well-aligned by using center, left, or right alignment options.
  • Font Consistency : Keep the fonts in your table consistent with the rest of your slide to maintain uniformity in design.
  • Cell Formatting : Adjust the row height or column width to make sure your data fits well and is easy to read.

Remember to avoid overloading the table with too much information. A cluttered table can distract your audience from the key points of your presentation.

Merging and Splitting Table Cells

Merging cells allows you to combine multiple cells into one larger cell, which can be useful for headings or summarizing data in a row or column. Splitting cells can help if you need to divide a larger cell into smaller segments.

How to Merge Cells:

  • Select the cells you want to merge.
  • Right-click and choose Merge Cells from the drop-down menu.

How to Split Cells:

  • Click on the cell you want to split.
  • Go to the Table Tools tab.
  • Select Split Cells and adjust the number of rows and columns.

These tools are particularly handy when formatting your table to fit the design of your PowerPoint presentation .

Using Tables for Data Visualization

Tables aren’t just about displaying static information. You can use them for data visualization to make your presentation more dynamic. For example, if you’re displaying trends over time or making comparisons, conditional formatting can help highlight key data points.

Conditional Formatting:

While PowerPoint doesn’t offer as advanced formatting options as Excel , you can still manually apply formatting, such as:

  • Boldening important values .
  • Coloring cells to differentiate between data points.

This helps guide the audience’s focus and makes your table more interactive and visually engaging.

Importing Tables from Excel to PowerPoint

For large data sets or calculations, it’s often easier to create a table in Excel and then import it into PowerPoint. Excel offers more advanced tools for data management and calculations, and once your table is ready, you can seamlessly integrate it into your presentation.

Steps to Import an Excel Table:

  • In Excel, highlight the table you want to copy.
  • Press Ctrl + C to copy the table.
  • Open your PowerPoint slide and press Ctrl + V to paste the table.

Excel Link Options:

When pasting, PowerPoint offers two options:

  • Embed as Excel Object : This embeds the entire Excel file, allowing you to double-click and edit the table directly in PowerPoint.
  • Link to Excel File : If the data in Excel changes, the table in PowerPoint will automatically update to reflect these changes.

Adjusting Table Layout for Better Design

Tables don’t have to be rigid grids; you can adjust the layout to suit your design needs. PowerPoint offers several layout options to enhance your tables’ visual appeal.

Resizing Tables:

  • Use the handles around the table to resize it.
  • Make sure the table fits well within the slide and doesn’t extend beyond its borders.

Adjusting Row Height and Column Width:

  • Right-click on a table cell, select Table Properties , and adjust the Row or Column settings.

These features give you control over the table layout , ensuring that it fits seamlessly with your presentation design.

Using Tables with Images and Graphics

Sometimes, tables alone may not be sufficient to convey your message. By incorporating images, icons , or graphics into table cells, you can make your presentation more engaging.

Inserting Images into Table Cells:

  • Click on the table cell where you want to add an image.
  • Go to Insert , select Picture , and choose your image.
  • Resize the image to fit within the table cell.

Best Practices for Combining Tables with Graphics:

  • Use icons to represent different categories or elements within your table.
  • Keep the layout simple to avoid overwhelming the audience with too much content.

By integrating images into your tables in PowerPoint , you can create a more dynamic and visually appealing design.

Best Practices for Table Design in PowerPoint

Using tables effectively in PowerPoint requires a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Here are some best practices to ensure your tables contribute positively to your overall presentation:

  • Keep it Simple : Avoid overloading your table with too much data. Present only the most relevant information.
  • Use Contrast : Make sure there’s enough contrast between the table text and background to ensure readability.
  • Be Consistent : Maintain consistent styles across all slides for a professional look.
  • Highlight Key Data : Use bold text or color to highlight important numbers or data points within the table.

Following these guidelines ensures that your PowerPoint tables are not just functional but also enhance the overall design of your presentation.

Final Thoughts

Tables in PowerPoint design offer a versatile and efficient way to present data. Whether you’re creating a simple table to organize text or importing a complex data set from Excel, understanding how to use tables effectively can significantly enhance your presentations. By customizing tables to fit your theme, incorporating images, and following best design practices, you can ensure your slides are both informative and visually engaging.

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How to Create and Format Tables in PowerPoint

How to Create and Format Tables in PowerPoint | Quick Tips & Tutorial for your presentations

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

They can be as straightforward as a combination of columns and rows or take the form of sophisticated infographics. Simple or elaborate, you can use them in many different ways to compare data and summarize information. 

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create and format tables in PowerPoint completely from scratch. And once you’ve learnt that, we’ll also cover how to download ready-to-use infographic tables from pre-designed templates.

Creating a Table

Formatting the style of a table, creating content in a table, adding a table from a template.

  • Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide you want the table to be on.
  • Click on Insert in the Table option. This will open a submenu, allowing you to configure it. In this tutorial, we are choosing one with four columns and four rows. When you create your table, you can build as many columns and rows as you wish.
  • After it’s created, move it by first hovering your cursor over it until it becomes a cross. Then click and drag it to where you want it to be.

Pro tip : Keep an eye on the red visual guidelines that appear as you move elements around. This will help you to align your elements (in this case, the table).

  • If you need more rows or columns, you can add more by right-clicking on a cell, selecting Insert, and choosing the desired option.
  • You could also delete some by with the option Delete.
  • You can change its color with the option Table Design . Click on one cell and drag your cursor over the cells you want to style.
  • Select its color and line style. Options to do so include Pen Style, Pen Weight, and Pen Color.
  • Then, go to Borders → All Borders. This will apply the style to all the cells.
  • You can make a cell’s border transparent by applying the color used for the slide’s background to it. To do so to the top-left cell, click on it, choose the corresponding shade under Pen Color, and select Borders → Top Border → Left Border.
  • Resize the table by clicking on it and dragging it inward or outward from any of its corners.

Pro tip : Hold Shift while doing this to ensure its dimensions are maintained.

  • To start writing, double click on a cell and type.
  • Complete the cells with numbers and concise words. If you need to write sentences, keep them short and sweet.
  • To edit the typography, click and drag your cursor over the text you want to restyle. Select Font options: Font, Font Size, and Font Color. Use the theme’s typefaces and theme colors to maintain visual coherence.
  • We recommend applying Bold to headings. It’s an easy way to highlight titles, establish hierarchy, and improve readability.
  • For more impact, contrast two different typefaces—the more distinct they are from each other, the better. In this example, we’ve combined Open Sans with Lilita One.
  • Use Align to centralize your text. As a general rule of thumb, it looks better when aligned down the middle on tables.
  • As an alternative, you can also adapt any of our table infographic templates . Download the PowerPoint template and select from the many ready-to-use options.
  • To insert a design to your PowerPoint presentation, simply copy and paste ( Ctrl C + Ctrl V ).

Pro tip : While regular tables usually consist of a number of cells, its infographics version can take on different formats and styles like lists, element blocks, etc. If you want to use the whole infographic, click and drag over its entire area to select and copy it, and then paste it.

  • Once that’s done, you can edit how it looks. Resize it as needed. Just as you’ve done before, select the area of the infographic and drag it inward or outward.
  • Style it according to the presentation’s overall theme. To do so, use the options Shape Fill, Shape Outline, as well as with the previously mentioned options for text (Font, Font Color, and more) .
  • Nice work! You’ve learned how to create and format tables in PowerPoint!

At Slidesgo, we have a plethora of gorgeous templates that are completely free for you to customize according to your needs. Hop on over to our selection of free PowerPoint themes and check it out!

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Text & Tables

Explore our extensive collection of 272 Text & Tables templates for PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Text & Tables templates efficiently showcase text, information, and data in your presentations. This category features a wide range of design elements such as 3D text, budget & quotation, bullet points, clipboards & notes, comparisons, table of contents, numbered lists, paper & banners, pricing tables, quotes, speaking bubbles, tables, text boxes, to-do & checklists, and word clouds. These designs make your content visually appealing and engaging, capturing your audience’s attention.

Whether presenting financial data, project updates, product comparisons, or personal achievements, our Text & Tables templates offer the ideal foundation for delivering your message effectively.

Preview of the Information Blocks Cycle template for PowerPoint featuring six customizable information blocks with icons, ideal for presenting step-by-step processes.

Information Blocks

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Preview of the Comparison Tables template for PowerPoint featuring four customizable options for side-by-side category comparison.

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Preview of the Hexagonal Header Blocks template for PowerPoint, showcasing a four-step diagram for processes, workflows, and project management.

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Preview of the Calendar List for PowerPoint template featuring four customizable calendar-style sections with placeholders for text and icons. This template is ideal for organizing tasks or events in a structured format.

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Numbered Rounded Blocks for PowerPoint preview, featuring a four-step process diagram with large numbered blocks and icons, ideal for creating clear and structured presentations.

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Preview of Dual Circle Banner List template slide for PowerPoint and Google Slides, featuring four steps with numbers and icons.

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Preview of the Four-Step Parchment Process template for PowerPoint and Google Slides featuring a modern minimalist parchment design.

Four-Step Parchment Process

Preview of the Segmented Paper Fold template for PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations.

Segmented Paper Fold

A preview of the Interlinked Triangle Sequence template for PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations.

Interlinked Triangle Sequence

Preview of Abstract Text Capsules PowerPoint template with modern, colorful text badges for engaging presentations.

Abstract Text Capsules for PowerPoint and Google Slides

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