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Excel Tables -- Creating an Excel Table

Table of Contents

What is an Excel Table?

In Excel 2007, you can use the Table command to convert a list of data into a formatted Excel Table. Tables have many features, such as sorting and filtering, that will help you organize and view your data.

An Excel Table makes an excellent source for a Pivot Table, and I recommend that you use this feature if you plan to create a Pivot Table from the data.

Note: In Excel 2003, there is a similar feature, named Excel List. It doesn't have all the options offered in Excel 2007's Excel Table, but you should prepare your data in the same way, as described below.

Formatted Excel Table
in Excel 2007

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preparing Your Data for an Excel Table

Before you create the formatted Excel Table, follow these guidelines for organizing your data.

The Excel data should be organized in rows and columns, with each row containing information about one record, such as a sales order, or inventory transaction.

In the first row of the list, each column should contain a short, descriptive and unique heading.

Each column in the list should contain one type of data, such as dates, currency, or text.

Each row in the list should contain the details for one record, such as a sales order. If possible, include a unique identifier for each row, such as an order number.

The list should have no blank rows within it, and no completely blank columns.

The list should be separated from any other data on the worksheet, with at least one blank row and one blank column between the list and the other data.

Creating an Excel Table

After your data is organized, as described above, you're ready to create the formatted Excel Table.

Select a cell in the list of data that you prepared.

On the Ribbon, click the Insert tab.

In the Tables group, click the Table command.

In the Create Table dialog box, the range for your data should automatically appear, and the My table has headers option is checked.

Click OK to accept these settings.

Your list is now an Excel Table, and is automatically formatted with a default Table Style, which you can change.

The heading cells have drop down arrows that you can use to sort or filter the data.

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Debra Dalgleish

Last updated: September 6, 2008 9:54 PM

Table of Contents	What is an Excel Table? In Excel 2007, you can use the Table command to convert a list of data into a formatted Excel Table. Tables have many features, such as sorting and filtering, that will help you organize and view your data. An Excel Table makes an excellent source for a Pivot Table, and I recommend that you use this feature if you plan to create a Pivot Table from the data. Note: In Excel 2003, there is a similar feature, named Excel List. It doesn't have all the options offered in Excel 2007's Excel Table, but you should prepare your data in the same way, as described below.	Formatted Excel Table in Excel 2007
Table of Contents Table of Contents	Preparing Your Data for an Excel Table Before you create the formatted Excel Table, follow these guidelines for organizing your data. The Excel data should be organized in rows and columns, with each row containing information about one record, such as a sales order, or inventory transaction. In the first row of the list, each column should contain a short, descriptive and unique heading. Each column in the list should contain one type of data, such as dates, currency, or text. Each row in the list should contain the details for one record, such as a sales order. If possible, include a unique identifier for each row, such as an order number. The list should have no blank rows within it, and no completely blank columns. The list should be separated from any other data on the worksheet, with at least one blank row and one blank column between the list and the other data.
	Creating an Excel Table After your data is organized, as described above, you're ready to create the formatted Excel Table. Select a cell in the list of data that you prepared. On the Ribbon, click the Insert tab. In the Tables group, click the Table command. In the Create Table dialog box, the range for your data should automatically appear, and the My table has headers option is checked. Click OK to accept these settings.
	Your list is now an Excel Table, and is automatically formatted with a default Table Style, which you can change. The heading cells have drop down arrows that you can use to sort or filter the data.