Converting a table to text

Now that you have learned about tables, you may want to convert tabular text to a table without retyping the information. Word can convert existing text to tables—and vice versa. Follow these steps:

1. Select the table to convert to text.
2. From the Table Tools contextual menu, select Layout.

3. Under the Data group, locate Convert to Text, as illustrated in the following screenshot:

4. Select Tabs from the dialog box provided and click the OK button to commit the change, as illustrated in the following screenshot:

Let's go through the steps to convert text to a table. It is always easier if your text contains tabs separating the text and is consistent in that there is only one tab in between typed text. Follow these steps:

1. Select the text to convert to a table.
2. Click on the Insert tab.
3. From the Table drop-down list, choose Convert Text to Table..., as illustrated in the following screenshot:

4. Choose how to split the text using the dialog box provided, as illustrated in the following screenshot:

5. The options presented in the dialog box are normally correct due to Word picking up the number of columns and separation type from the text.
6. Click on the OK button to convert the text to a table.