Tables In Google Sheets

What Are Tables In Google Sheets?

Tables in Google sheets, show the tabulated form of value in the spreadsheet. There is no default table option in Google sheets similar to Microsoft Excel. But, we can create the table in simple steps.

For example, consider the below data showing the name and age of various people in columns A and B respectively.

Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Definition

Now, let us learn how to create a table in Google sheets that appears as shown in the below image.

Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Definition-1

In Google sheets, even when there is no default Table option, we can convert data into a table using simple steps.

In this article, let us learn about tables in Google sheets with detailed examples.

Key Takeaways
  • Tables in Google sheets is a feature used to show the data in cell range in a tabulated form.
  • In Excel, we can right away use Table option but in Google sheets, there is no default Table option.
  • Instead, we can manually align and create a table in Google sheets using the Alternating colors option.
  • To create tables in Google sheets, click on Format and select Alternating colors option.
  • In the Alternating colors window, users can choose the desired color range.

How To Create Tables In Google Sheets?

We need to follow the below steps to create table. The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, insert the data (with or without headers)

Step 2: Next, select the data and click on Format

Step 3: Now, click on Alternating colors

Step 4: Next, the Alternating colors window appears.

Step 5: Here, we can choose the desired option.

Now, let us use the above steps for the following example.

For example, consider the below data showing various products and sales amounts in columns A and B, respectively.

Example

Now, let us learn how to create a table in Google sheets.

The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, let us format the data. Let us apply bold format to the headers. Select cells A1 and B1 and click on Bold option.

Step-1

Step 2: Next, we can see the headers are now formatted in bold.

Step-2

Step 3: Next, let us align the content using the Center align option as shown in the below image.

Step-3

Step 4: Now, we can see the table is center aligned.

Step-4

Now, let us learn how to change the data into a table.

Step 5: First, select the cell range and click on Format option.

Step-5

Step 6: Next, click on Alternating colors option.

Now, we can see the Alternating colors window at the right end of the screen.

Step-6

Step 7: Here, click on Header since the table has headers. Next, click on the desired color combination.

Step-7

Step 8: Finally, we can see the data is converted into a table.

Step-8

Likewise, we can create tables in Google sheets.

How To Customize Tables In Google Sheets?

Note that we can customize table in Google sheets using the alternating colors window.

First, let us create a table in Google sheets and then, customize table.

For example, consider the below data showing numbers in columns A and B respectively.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets

Now, let us learn how to create a table in Google sheets.

The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, select the cell range. In this example, it is cell range A1:B5.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-1

Step 2: Next, click on Format and select Alternating colors option.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-2

Step 3: Now, the Alternating colors window appears at the right end of the screen.

Here, we can select the desired color combination. In this example, let us choose the gray color combination.

Now, we can see the data is transferred into a table.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-3

Step 4: Next, we can see the data is transferred into a table.

But note that the data does not have headers but in the first row, cells A1 and B1 are highlighted in different colors as headers.

Now, let us learn how to customize the table.

Here, our goal is to remove the headers selection.

Step 5: To remove, simply click on Header option to deselect. (Note that the Header option will always be selected by default)

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-5

Step 6: As soon as we deselect the Header option, we can see the table customized.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-6

Now, let us align the content using center alignment option in Google sheets.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-6-1

Finally, we can see our newly created and customized table in Google sheets as shown in the below image.

How-To-Customize-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Step-6-2

Likewise, we can create and customize tables in Google sheets.

Useful Features Of Tables In Google Sheets

Now, let us learn the uses of tables in Google sheets.

They are:

  1. In Google sheets, data can be huge based on the user’s inputs but with Google sheets tables, we can easily identify the data using filters.
  2. The data appears more sorted in a table form in Google sheets.
  3. We can easily sort the data and give color combinations for easy access.
  4. With an option to hide or show headers, users can use the data with better reach.
  5. We can also format the data quickly when compared to traditional data.

How To Manage Tables In Google Sheets Data?

After we create a table, we can easily manage the content we choose to insert within the data and manage the already inserted data using the Alternating Colors window.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data

For example, if an additional data has to be included, we can simply click on the Apply to range option and click on the button. We can see a pop up Select Cell Range. Here, we can select the newly required cell range.

Similarly, depending on the presence of header and footer, we can select or deselect the options accordingly.

Example

For example, consider the below data showing item and units sold in columns A and B, respectively.

First, let us start creating a table for the given data using the below steps.

The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, select the cell range. In this example, it is cell range A1:B6.

Step 2: Next, click on Format and select Alternating colors option.

Step 3: Now, the Alternating colors window appears at the right end of the screen.

Here, we can select the desired color combination. In this example, let us choose the green color combination.

Finally, we can see the data is transferred into a table as shown in the below image.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data-Step-3

Now, assume that there is one more column we need to add in the table, as shown in the below image.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data-Step-3-1

Now, click on Format > Alternating Colors and the window appears on the right end of the screen.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data-Step-3-2

Next, click on the Apply to range option as shown in the below image.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data-Step-3-3

Immediately, we can see a popup tab, Select a data range as shown in the below image.

Here, select the upgraded cell range and press on OK.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data-Step-3-4

Finally, we can see the updated table as shown in the below image.

How-To-Manage-Tables-In-Google-Sheets-Data-Step-3-5

Likewise, we can manage tables in Google sheets.

Important Things To Note

  1. Insert the data (with or without headers)
  2. Select the data and click on Format
  3. Click on Alternating colors
  4. The Alternating colors window appears.
  5. Here, we can choose the desired option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Explain how to create tables in Google sheets with an example.

For example, consider the below table showing the sample and population of various industry in columns A and B respectively.
Now, let us learn how to create a table.
The steps are:
Step 1: To start with, select the cell range. In this example, it is cell range A1:B3.
Step 2: Next, click on Format and select Alternating colors option.
Step 3: Now, the Alternating colors window appears at the right end of the screen.
Here, we can select the desired color combination. In this example, let us choose the green color combination.
Finally, we can see the data is transferred into a table as shown in the below image.

FAQ-1-Step-3

Likewise, we can create table in Google sheets.

2. How to remove headers color if the table does not have header?

In Google sheets, the Alternating colors window has Header option, selected by default. In case our table does not have headers, simply deselect the header option.

3. How to convert table back to data in Google sheets?

Similar to creating tables, it is simple and easy to change table back to data. For this, we need to select the table, click on Format and select Clear Formatting.
We will be able to see the table converted into data immediately.
Likewise, we can convert table into data.

Download Template

This article must help understand the Tables In Google Sheets formula and examples. We can download the template here to use it instantly.

Guide to What Is Tables In Google Sheets. We explain how to create, customize, & manage Tables In Google Sheets with features, examples and points to remember. You can learn more from the following articles. –

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