Making a table landscape in Microsoft Word can seem tricky, but it’s actually pretty simple. By changing the page orientation for the part of the document that contains your table, you can easily switch it from portrait to landscape. This helps when your table is too wide to fit on a standard page. Let’s dive into the steps to get your table looking just right.
In this section, we’ll walk you through how to make a table landscape in Word. These steps will guide you to change the orientation of the page containing your table without affecting the rest of your document.
Highlight the table you want to make landscape.
Selecting the table ensures that Word knows exactly which part of your document you want to change. Click and drag over the table to highlight it.
Navigate to the "Layout" tab at the top of the screen.
The "Layout" tab contains all sorts of options for adjusting your document’s layout, including page orientation.
Under the "Layout" tab, click the "Breaks" drop-down menu.
This menu allows you to insert different types of breaks in your document. You’ll need to insert a section break to change the orientation of your page.
From the "Breaks" menu, select "Next Page" under the "Section Breaks" category.
This action will create a new section in your document starting on the next page, allowing you to change its orientation without altering the rest of your document.
With the cursor still in the same section, go back to the "Layout" tab and click "Orientation." Then select "Landscape."
This changes the orientation of the section containing your table to landscape, making it easier to view wide tables.
Cut the table from its original position and paste it into the new landscape section.
This ensures that your table is positioned correctly in the landscape-oriented part of your document.
After completing these steps, your table should now appear in a landscape orientation within your document. This makes it easier to fit wider tables on a single page, improving readability and presentation.
You can make just one page landscape by using section breaks to isolate the page, then changing its orientation as described in the steps above.
Yes, simply insert another section break after your table and change the orientation back to portrait.
Consider reducing the font size or adjusting column widths to make the table fit better.
Headers and footers can be adjusted independently in each section. You may need to reformat them after changing the orientation.
Yes, repeat the steps for each table you need to change to landscape orientation.
Changing a table’s orientation from portrait to landscape in Word can make a big difference in how your data is presented. By isolating the table in its own section and changing the page’s orientation, you can make even the widest tables fit neatly on a single page. This small adjustment not only improves the look of your document but also makes it more user-friendly.
Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, give it a try next time you’re working with a wide table in Word. You’ll find that it’s a simple trick that can make a big impact. For more tips on using Word, check out our other articles or explore the help features within the program. Happy formatting!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.