Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+80 XP
Pupils work on their own device

Advanced Tables: Merged Cells, Styles, Header Rows

In this lesson you merge cells and apply styles to create clear table headers, set header clarity for long tables, and build a complex project table with at least four columns and eight rows using your own data.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Today you will

    • merge cells to make a title across the top of a table
    • make the column headings stand out
    • build a table from your project with at least four columns and eight rows

    Illustration for IntroductionYour table goes in {{code:sm1_doc3_table_document.docx}}. This is a Key Assignment file.

    Warm-up

    Think of one thing from your Something Real project that would be clearer in a table. What would the column headings be?

    2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins

    Merge cells means joining two or more cells into one big cell, like a title across the top.

    Split cells means dividing a cell back into separate cells if you merged too much.

    A table style adds ready-made shading, borders and stripes in one click.

    The header row is the row of column names. It should stand out from the rest of the table.

    Example

    • Title row: Work Experience task log: local garage placement
    • Header row: Task, Supervisor, Day, Hours, Status

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~15 mins

    You will start a sample table for a Work Experience placement at a local garage. It goes in your Key Assignment file.

    Watch your teacher first, then follow the steps for your app in the box below. You will type these three rows into your table.

    TaskSupervisorDayHoursStatus
    oil-change shadowingAoife ByrneMon3Done
    parts counterAoife ByrneTue4Done
    customer booking deskSam OkonkwoWed3In progress

    4 - Common Issues ~4 mins

    Common snags

    • {{btn:Merge Cells}} is greyed out. Drag across the whole cells, not just the text, and try again.
    • The title got the shading instead of row 2. Untick {{btn:Header Row}} on {{btn:Table Design}}, or shade row 2 yourself.
    • {{btn:Pin header row}} will not switch on. Click in row 2, where the column names are, not in the title.

    5 - Independent Practice ~20 mins

    Independent Practice

    Your goal: Turn the sample into a real table from your Something Real project. Key Assignment
    Time: ~20 minutes
    Task:
    1. Open {{code:sm1_doc3_table_document.docx}} in {{code:sm1}}.
    2. Change the merged title to suit your project.
    3. Type your own column headings in row 2, or use a set from the box below.
    4. Replace the garage rows with at least eight rows of your own data.
    5. In Docs, check {{btn:Pin header row}} is on. In Word Online, check row 2 is bold and shaded.

    Task | Who | When | Hours or Cost | Done?

    Item | Supplier | Qty | Cost | Ordered?

    No project data yet? Use your Work Experience days or a club event instead.

    Success criteria:
    • My file is saved in {{code:sm1}}.
    • It has a merged title, four or more columns and eight or more rows.
    • The column headings stand out.
    • A stranger could read it without my help.
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