In Word - How do I add a column in a table with merged cells?

[DaveK]

Was just passed a document with lengthy table containing merged cells
throughout. I have to add two new columns to the right, but when I insert
the columns it totally hoses the table (e.g. in rows with merged cells, it
inserts the new columns in the middle of the table, and adds all kinds of
extra columns to the right as well). It's a disaster. All ideas welcome
(short of 'start over').

Thanks, Dave

 

[macropod]

Hi Dave,

If you split the table (Table|Split from the menu) so that the rows with
merged cells are separated out from those without, you can add the extra
columns to each part of the table, then put them back together afterwards by
removing the intervening paragraph marks.

Cheers

 

[Jezebel]

It's not always possible to do this easily: once the table has merged and
split cells, Word tends to lose track of how it's built.

If it's a one-off task, you could add a textbox to the right of each table,
containing a two-column table. Ghastly prospect if you're going to have
multiple edits.