Tables: Failure to Merge

[MLS]

I have a document with two tables that I wish to merge.
Normall, they would merge automatically, as soon as the
bottom of one met the top of the other (eg by deleting
lines in between), but it isn't happening here.

In one table, with format marks switched on, I can see a
small black square (like a bullet point) at the start of
each row. The other table does not have this, and I don't
know what it means, or whether it is why the two won't
merge. Any ideas?

Thanks. MLS

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Several possibilities (reflecting things I've seen):

1. One or both of the tables may be wrapped.

2. The bullet may indicate that the rows are all set as header rows
(ironically, this seems to happen--or at least be reported--when tables are
wrapped). Or it could just be the usual--that they are formatted as "Keep
with next," which would cause them all to jump to a new page, possibly
preventing them from linking up with the table on the previous page even
though they actually are part of the same table (though you can tell about
this by selecting a column in Table 1 and seeing if the selection extends
into Table 2).

3. One of the tables may be nested inside one large table cell (very common
with stuff pasted from the Web and almost impossible to discern unless you
Convert Table to Text).

FWIW, my money is on (1), which can also result in (2).

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word

 

[MLS]

Thanks Suzanne - Your suggestions gave me something to
play around with, and a few changes later, it worked! So
many thanks. MLS