Table Design in Word 2008?

[SirWells]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

I just recently switched to a Mac from a PC. I was quite used to Office 2007 on the PC, but have migrated to Mac Office 2008.

In Office 2007, when I'd create a table, I'd have numerous options for designing my table with preformated options, colors, styles, etc. Do these exist in Mac Office 2008? So far I've only seen the basic table auto-format options, not the 50 or so different designs as Office 2007 has. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[CyberTaz]

Are you seeing only the ones offered when you click the Quick Tables button
in the Elements Gallery?

Although 2008 didn't get the full complement offered in 2007 you might have
a look at what's in Table> Table AutoFormat for other options.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[SirWells]

Those designs are still the basic ones. I guess I was getting confused with PowerPoint 2008, which has many of the preformated designs while Word did not get any. It's really a shame...

Roland

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Roland -

Although certainly not the only reason I would expect that a partial
explanation is that Word is far more print oriented. However, don't hesitate
to use any of the choices in PPt then copy & paste into your doc. An extra
step, perhaps, but definitely no different than inserting anything else

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[KarlWa]

I'd like to add that the Autoformat options look like relics from the 90s and nothing like the great styles that are available to Windows users, or even Mac users if you use the Quick Tables tab.

It's really, really, really annoying. In Office 07, I used to create a table, then apply the style I want to apply to it. In 08, I have to switch the Print Layout View and find autoformat, then I only have styles that wouldn't look out of place in OS 9 or Win 95.

Serisouly, Microsoft, sort this out - if I have a table selected and click a quick tables style, apply that style to the selected table!

 

[Clive Huggan]

Hello Karl,

When you said "Seriously, Microsoft, sort this out", was that just a
rhetorical remark? If not, please be aware that in this discussion group,
with only the occasional exception we are not Microsoft employees. To give
your feedback to Microsoft (which is a good idea) you need to send it via
the Word Help menu.

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
============

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Karl -

I'm not sure I understand the logic of your complaint , especially based on
a comparison of Word 2008 to 2007. Word 2007 doesn't even *have* a Notebook
Layout feature, and if it *did* it would most likely be implemented the same
as in 2008. No disrespect intended, but I believe you're demanding
functionality that not only isn't intended to be included in that view but
also would be contrary to the efficiency & performance of the note-taking
intent of the feature.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[John McGhie]

It sounds as though you have not found the new Table styles.

In the Formatting Palette, open the Styles drop-down, then set "List" to
"All styles".

Word 2008 has the same table styles as Word 2007. The bug is that it does
not show them in Table Autoformat.

They are still pretty horrid, but they're better than that

Cheers

I'd like to add that the Autoformat options look like relics from the 90s and
nothing like the great styles that are available to Windows users, or even Mac
users if you use the Quick Tables tab.

It's really, really, really annoying. In Office 07, I used to create a table,
then apply the style I want to apply to it. In 08, I have to switch the Print
Layout View and find autoformat, then I only have styles that wouldn't look
out of place in OS 9 or Win 95.

Serisouly, Microsoft, sort this out - if I have a table selected and click a
quick tables style, apply that style to the selected table!

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP, Word and Word:Mac
Sydney, Australia. mailto:[email protected]

 

[SirWells]

John, I did everything you said and I still can't seem to find the table styles that Office 2007 has in Office 2008.

I went to the formatting palette, opened the styles drop down menu, set list to "all styles." From there, I can't seem to find the new styles. Any ideas on what I'm missing?

 

[CyberTaz]

Perhaps the fact that those Styles don't specifically include the word
"table" is a bit misleading... Look for any that contain the word "grid",
"list" or "shading" in their name, such as Light Grid - Accent 6 or Colorful
Shading - Accent 3. They have a special ⊞ icon at the end of the name rather
than¶ or underscored 'a'.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[SirWells]

Thank you! Finally found them but what a terrible way to incorporate the table styles! Now if only we could get some decent clip art going!

 

[Clive Huggan]

Agreed. But don't tell the people who agree with you -- tell Microsoft, via
the Help menu. It *does* add to the votes on what needs improving.

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
============

 

[CyberTaz]

If you're looking to have volumes of clipart choke up your HD as a result of
a normal installation, forget it - and rightly so. There's more than an
ample supply available on line. Download all you want

<http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/FX101321031033.aspx?pid=CL1005702
01033>

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac