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How to Center a Table in Word – Quick Steps for Windows, macOS & Ubuntu

When formatting documents, knowing how to center a table in Word is essential for a clean and professional layout. Whether you’re working on a report, resume, or academic paper, properly aligning your tables enhances readability and visual balance. In Microsoft Word, you can center tables both horizontally and vertically using toolbar options and keyboard shortcuts—on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu.

🎯 Why Center a Table in Word?

Centering a table helps:

  • Create a balanced, symmetric layout
  • Improve document aesthetics
  • Ensure alignment with centered titles or page elements
  • Make printed pages look more polished and organized

🪟 How to Center a Table in Word on Windows

✅ Method 1: Using Table Tools

  1. Click anywhere inside the table
  2. Go to the Layout tab (under Table Tools)
  3. Click Properties on the right
  4. Under the Table tab, choose Center under Alignment
  5. Click OK

This centers the entire table horizontally within the page margins.

✅ Method 2: Quick Alignment Using Toolbar

  1. Select the table
  2. Use the Home tab > Paragraph section
  3. Click the Center alignment icon (or use the shortcut)

✅ Keyboard Shortcut

  • Ctrl + E (while the table is selected) → centers the table contents and aligns the table horizontally.

📌 This works for paragraphs too, making it a quick fix.

🍏 How to Center a Table in Word on macOS

✅ Method 1: Table Properties

  1. Click inside the table
  2. Go to the Table Layout tab
  3. Click Properties > Under the Table tab, select Center
  4. Confirm with OK

✅ Method 2: Toolbar Alignment

  1. Select the entire table
  2. Use the toolbar or Format > Paragraph
  3. Choose Center alignment

✅ Keyboard Shortcut

  • Command (⌘) + E centers selected text or a table horizontally.

💡 Works in Word and other Office apps on macOS.

🐧 How to Center a Table in Word on Ubuntu

Ubuntu users typically work with:

  • LibreOffice Writer
  • Microsoft Word Online

✅ LibreOffice Writer

  1. Click on the table
  2. Right-click > Table Properties
  3. Under the Table tab, set Alignment to Center
  4. Click OK

✅ Word Online (for Ubuntu)

  1. Select the table
  2. Go to Layout > Properties
  3. Choose Center under alignment

✅ Keyboard Shortcut (LibreOffice)

  • Ctrl + E → centers the selected table or paragraph

📋 Summary Table – Centering a Table in Word

PlatformMethodShortcut or Steps
WindowsTable PropertiesTable Tools > Layout > Properties > Center
WindowsToolbar ShortcutCtrl + E
macOSTable Layout TabCmd + E or Layout > Properties > Center
UbuntuLibreOffice Table TabRight-click > Table > Properties > Center
Word OnlineLayout ToolsLayout > Properties > Center

🧠 Bonus Tip: Center Table Vertically on the Page

To vertically center a table on the page (not just between margins):

  1. Go to Layout > Page Setup (small arrow in corner)
  2. Click the Layout tab
  3. Under Vertical alignment, choose Center
  4. Click OK

✅ This applies to the entire page, centering all content including the table.

❓ FAQ – Centering Tables in Word

Does Ctrl + E center the entire table?
Yes, if the whole table is selected. Otherwise, it centers the text inside selected cells.

Can I center a table both horizontally and vertically?
Yes. Use Table Properties for horizontal centering, and Page Setup > Layout for vertical alignment.

What’s the difference between cell alignment and table alignment?
Table alignment positions the entire table on the page. Cell alignment affects content inside individual cells.

Is centering available in Word Online?
Yes. Word Online supports centering via the Layout > Properties option.

Will centering a table affect print layout?
Definitely. Proper alignment ensures your table prints symmetrically on the page.

✅ Conclusion

Knowing how to center a table in Word helps you maintain a polished and professional document layout. Whether you’re using Windows (Ctrl + E), macOS (Cmd + E), or Ubuntu, there are quick ways to align tables for better visual balance. Use built-in table properties or keyboard shortcuts to save time and elevate your document formatting instantly.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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