It is also maybe a tad counter-intuitive that you enter a larger number
for
the vertical aspect of a table and get a table whose shape is more
horizontal than vertical, but I think that's just how tables work.
Hi Daiya -
I believe the rational behind it is that when you create a table you more
frequently know how many columns of data to specify, but the number of
requisite rows is more likely to be uncertain. The structure of table is
such that changing the number of columns *can* be done it has to be done
'manually', whereas new rows are added 'automatically' as you tab fro the
last cell in the currenly last row. Combine that with the fact that most
docs are far more limited in width than they are in height - a table can
only span margin to margin in width, but can go on for several pages in
height.
Hello Rafael,
For *simple* calculations you can use the ToolsCalculate command. You can
implement it via the Tools menu -> Customize -> Customize keyboard ->
Categories: All Commands -> Commands: ToolsCalculate. I assigned
Command-[equal key] which was the standard keyboard shortcut in Word 5.1
<nostalgic sigh>.
The advantage of this command is that it isn't fazed by blank cells as the
other facility in Word (Table menu -> Formula) is.
I only use this for adding up, such as in invoices, so I tested other
functions for you. These worked (figures shown were in successive columns):
100
!00
By selecting these two cells and keying Command-= the clipboard was loaded
with 200, and this showed in the task bar at the bottom of the document.
Similarly:
100
/2
50 was the answer.
100
*2
200 was the answer
!00
*3
/2
150 was the answer
But
100
50
/2
gave 125 as the answer, i.e. the calculation was 100 + (50/2), not
(100+50)/2
That's essentially why I only use it for adding and subtracting. But in that
context, it's superb: just drag, Command-= and paste in the total.
Ahh... <faint recollection occurs -> looks up "Bend Word to Your Will"> ...
There is a terrific article by the redoubtable Suzanne Barnhill at
http://word.mvps.org/faqs/General/ToolsCalculate.htm (Windows platform, but
that's no problem).
Rafael, you may be interested in this: I find it's a pain having to create
tables from scratch every time, so I have created AutoText entries for the
most common number of columns and border treatments that I use. It's all
described starting on page 115 of "Bend Word to Your Will", which are
available as a free download from the Word MVPs' website
(
http://word.mvps.org/Mac/Bend/BendWordToYourWill.html). So when I want a
4-column table with 1/4-point borders I just key 4cb (which is the AutoText
entry I created) followed by Command-Option-v and voila! the pre-formatted
table appears, exactly as I want!
Cheers,
Clive Huggan
Canberra, Australia
(My time zone is 5-11 hours different from the US and Europe, so my
follow-on responses to those regions can be delayed)
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