Save and Use a Table Template in Word
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated November 15, 2022
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)
If you insert tables frequently in Word, you may want to create a table template to save time. Keep in mind that tables are affected by themes, styles and table styles so if the table template you insert seems to change formatting, the current document may contain different formatting from the original document when the table template was saved. A table template is saved as a building block and will appear in Quick Tables.
If you are not comfortable inserting a table in a Word document, check out 4 Ways to Create a Table in Word.
Recommended article: 10 Microsoft Word Shortcuts for Moving Around in Tables
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Save a table template using Quick Parts
To save a table as a template in Word:
- Click in the table that you want to use as a template. Keep in mind that tables are affected by themes, styles and table styles.
- Hover the cursor over the table and select the four arrows on the top left of the table to select the table. You can also click in the first cell and Shift – click in the last cell.
- If you don't want to include content in the table template, press Delete to delete the content.
- Ensure the table is selected and then click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- Click Quick Parts in the Text group.
- Click Save Selection to Quick Parts Gallery. A dialog box appears.
- Enter a name for the table (such as Table A).
- Beside Gallery, select Tables from the drop-down menu.
- Beside Category, select General, another category from the drop-down menu or Enter New Category and add a new category. We recommend adding _Custom Tables as a category to better organize your table templates (by adding an underscore at the beginning, the custom tables will appear at the top of the Quick Tables gallery). Once a table template has been added, you will be able to use this category for new table templates.
- Beside Save in, choose Building Blocks.
- Click OK.
The Create New Building Block dialog box appears as follows:
A table template is saved as a building block so you must save the Building Blocks file when prompted when you exit Word.
Insert a table using a table template
To insert a table using a table template in a Word document:
- Position the cursor in the document where you want to insert a table.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- Click Table in the Tables group. A drop-down menu appears.
- Click Quick Tables.
- Click the table template you want to use. The table will be inserted in your document. Enter content or edit the table as required.
The Quick Tables gallery appears when you click Table on the Insert tab in the Ribbon:
Delete a custom table template
To delete a custom table template:
- Position the cursor in a Word document.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- Click Table in the Tables group. A drop-down menu appears.
- Click Quick Tables.
- Hover over the table you want to delete.
- Right-click and choose Organize and Delete from the drop-down menu. A dialog box appears. The table template should be selected.
- Click Delete. A dialog box appears.
- Click Yes to confirm.
- Click Close.
In the Building Blocks Organizer, you can delete custom tables and other building blocks:
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More resources
4 Ways to Delete a Table in Word
How to Double Space in Word (4 Ways + Shortcut)
How to Keep a Microsoft Word Table Together on One Page
How to Delete a Page in Word (Remove Blank or Extra Pages)
How to Format Microsoft Word Tables Using Table Styles (Ultimate Guide)
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