Use a screen reader to insert a table in Word
Applies ToWord for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac Word for the web Word 2024 Word 2024 for Mac Word 2021 Word 2021 for Mac Word 2019 Word 2016 Word for iPhone Word for Android phones Word for Windows Phone 10

This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Windows tools or features and Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Accessibility help & learning content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.

Use Word with your keyboard and a screen reader to add a table to your document. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques. You'll also learn how to expand your table by adding new rows or columns and format your table with the built-in table styles.

Notes: 

In this topic

Insert a table by specifying dimensions

You can specify the dimensions of a table, such as the number of columns and rows, and their height and width. Word will insert a basic grid-type table for your use.

Note: To make the table more accessible, and make it possible for screen readers to identify table columns correctly, give the table a header row.

  1. Navigate to the location in your document where you want to insert the new table.

  2. To open the Insert Table dialog box, press Alt+N, T, I.

  3. To specify the number of columns in the table, press Alt+C, and then type the number of columns you want.

  4. To specify the number of rows, press Alt+R, and then type the number of rows you want.

  5. If you want to use these dimensions again in the future, press Alt+S to select the Remember dimensions for new tables checkbox.

  6. To close the Insert Table dialog box, press the Tab key until you hear "OK button," and then press Enter. Word adds the table to your document.

  7. To check that a header row is set up, do the following:

    1. Go to the table in your document and move to any cell. Press Alt+J, T to open the Table Design tab.

    2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Header row." If the screen reader announces that the Header row option is not selected, press Spacebar to select it. The focus moves to the table.

  8. Type your information in the cells. You hear which column and row is currently selected. The screen reader also announces which cells are header cells. Use the arrow keys to move in the table.

Insert a table by selecting from built-in formats

If you want to let Word do the formatting for you, select one of its built-in formats for tables.

  1. Navigate to the location in your document where you want to insert the new table.

  2. To choose from built-in table formats, press Alt+N, T, T to open the Quick Tables menu.

  3. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move through the list of table formats. Press Enter to select the table you want.

    Word inserts the selected table into your document and places the focus at the top of the inserted table.

  4. Type your information in the cells. Use the arrow keys to move in the table.

Add table columns or rows

You can quickly expand your table by adding more rows or columns.

  1. Navigate to the location in your table where you want to add a new column or row.

  2. To go to the Layout tab, press Alt+J, L, and then do one of the following:

    • To add a new row above, press A.

    • To add a new row below, press B, E.

    • To add a new column to the left, press L.

    • To add a new column to the right, press R.

Delete columns, rows, or the whole table

If a column, row, or the whole table is no longer needed, delete it from your document.

  1. Open your document, and then go to the table, column, or row you want to delete. When the focus is in your table, you'll hear confirmation, such as “Enter table 1.” When the focus moves off the table, you'll hear that you have left the table.

  2. To open the Delete menu item on the Layout tab, press Alt+J, L, D, and then do one of the following:

    • To delete the entire table, press T.

    • To delete the current column, press C.

    • To delete the current row, press R.

The table, column, or row is deleted, and the focus returns to the document.

See also

Use a screen reader to check spelling and grammar in Word

Use a screen reader to create charts in Word

Keyboard shortcuts in Word

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Word

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Word

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.