Office 2016 All-in-One For Dummies
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In order to turn a list into a table in Word 2016, all components of the list — each name, address, city name, state, and zip code listing, for example — must be separated from the next component by a tab space or a comma.

Word looks for tab spaces or commas when it turns a list into a table, and the program separates data into columns according to where the tab spaces or commas are located. You have to prepare your list carefully by entering tab spaces or commas in all the right places before you can turn a list into a table.

Follow these steps to turn a list into a table after you've done all the preliminary work:

  1. Select the list.

  2. On the Insert tab, click the Table button and choose Convert Text To Table on the drop-down list.

    You see the Convert Text to Table dialog box.

    Note the number in the Number of Columns box. It should list the number of components into which you separated your list. If the number doesn't match the number of components, you misplaced a tab entry or comma in your list. Click Cancel, return to your list, and examine it to make sure each line has been divided into the same number of components.

  3. Under Separate Text At, choose the Tabs or Commas option, depending on which you used to separate the components on the list.

  4. Click OK.

You can turn a table into a list by clicking the Convert to Text button on the (Table Tools) Layout tab (you may have to click the Data button first, depending on the size of your screen).

About This Article

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About the book author:

Peter Weverka is a veteran For Dummies author. In addition to previous books on Microsoft Office, Peter has written guides to Windows, the Internet, and Quicken.

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