3 Easy Ways to Delete a Table in Word (+ Troubleshooting)

PDF download Download Article
Quickly remove a table from your document, with or without keeping the text
PDF download Download Article

If you need to delete a table from a Microsoft Word document, it's easy. The steps are different depending on whether you're using the desktop version of Word for Windows and Mac or Word on the web. Read on to learn how to remove a table from a Word document and what to do if the table can't be deleted.

Quick Steps

  1. Click anywhere in the table.
  2. Click the 4-directional arrow at the top-left corner.
  3. Press Backspace or Delete to delete the table.
Section 1 of 4:

Delete an Entire Table on Windows and Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you click the table , a 4-directional arrow will appear at its top-left corner.
    • If you don't see the 4-directional arrow, you may not be in Print Layout view. At the bottom-right corner of Word, you'll find some icons that look like book pages—click the center icon (a single page with text) to switch to Print Layout view. [1]
    • If you want to delete a table but keep the text, see this method instead.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This selects the table.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This removes the table and its contents from the document.
    4. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Delete an Entire Table in Word for Web

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your Word document is not already in this view, click the Edit Document tab at the top, then click Edit in Word for the web .
    • Use this method if you're editing your Word document in your web browser instead of the desktop Word app.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This selects the table and displays the Table Tools tab at the top.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the top of the window just below "Table Tools."
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the icon of a table with a red X at its bottom corner. This deletes the table from your Word document.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Delete a Table and Keep the Text

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you want to keep the text from a table but not the table structure and borders, you can easily convert the table to text. Clicking a cell in the table displays the "Table Design" and "Layout" tabs at the top of Word.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's under "Table Tools" in the upper-right area of Word.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's on the right side of the toolbar at the top of Word. A list of conversion options will appear.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're dealing with plain text, select the Tabs option to replace the table borders with tabs, making your text easier to read.
    5. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Can't Delete the Table?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you can't delete a table, the creator may have protected it with Content Control. You can unlock this protection in the Developer toolbar. This feature is only available in the desktop version of Word for Windows and Mac, not on the web. To enable this toolbar:
    • Click the File menu and select Options .
    • Click Customize Ribbon .
    • In the "Customize the Ribbon" section, check the box next to "Developer" and click OK . [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now that you've enabled this feature, you'll see it at the top of Word.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This selects the table.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the option is grayed out, click Design Mode first. You should now see a pop-up window called "Content Control Properties."
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-16.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-a-Table-in-Word-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This removes protection from the table. You can now delete the table normally.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Want to quickly convert existing text into a table? If the text is separated by tabs, you can select it, click the Insert tab, click Table , and then click Convert text to table . [3]
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to Add Check Boxes to Word: 10 Simple Steps
      Easily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform
      3 Simple Ways to Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
      How to Repair Corrupted Word Documents: Tips to Recover Text
      How to
      Remove a Blank Page in Word
      How to
      Create an Index in Word
      3 Easy Ways to Create Borders in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
      How to Add a Horizontal Line in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
      3 Easy Ways to Adjust the Page Margins in Microsoft Word
      6 Ways to Format and Print a Booklet in Word
      Easily Delete a Header from the Second Page in Word
      How to Add Backgrounds in Microsoft Word: Watermarks, Images, & Colors
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/delete-a-table-3e2df7a1-bfa6-436b-8a57-62bfc82f01d5
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/show-the-developer-tab-e1192344-5e56-4d45-931b-e5fd9bea2d45?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-table-a138f745-73ef-4879-b99a-2f3d38be612a

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 69,308 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement