Editor, Publisher

The Table panel and its many cool features can be accessed directly from the top main menu bar.  To use the feature all you have to do is click on Table.  A small drop-down menu box will immediately appear.  Now, move your cursor down to the word Insert.  Next, slide your cursor over to the right and left-click on the word Table or on the symbol that looks like a box filled with many other smaller boxes.  Once you've done this an Insert Table box will immediately appear.  Now, all you have to do is type in the measurements of your desired table in the appropriate fields (e.g. number of columns, number of rows, auto-fit behavior, etc.). 

Table Short-Cut

Another way to access the table panel is simply by clicking on the table icon (if displayed) from the toolbar below the main menu bar.   Again, the table symbol looks like a box with numerous other boxes inside of it.  Now, just drag your mouse or cursor over to the number of columns that you want to display and down to the number of rows that you want to appear, but make sure you don't let your hand go of the left-mouse click button before accomplishing both tasks.  If you're ever confused about how to construct a table or how to use the table panel's different features, please refer to Word's extensive Help feature.

Creating the 1st Table

To create a resume similar to the linked attachment, you'll need to create two tables.  The first table (located at the top of your document) will consist of three invisible columns and one row with a very visible black bottom border similar to the example just below.

Please note that the first column will be used to type your name, the second column will be used to type your address, and the third column will be used to typed your phone number and or email address.  The next step in developing a header similar to this one is the partial deactivation of the borders, which simply means that the table's borders will need to be turned off partially.  To do this, you'll need to click on Format from the main menu bar, next left-click on Borders and Shading and click on the box that reads Custom.  Locate the preview diagram which represents your table.  Now, click on areas within this diagram where the borders need to be deleted, in the case of this exercise, that would be the two side borders and the top border.  Now, you should be left with a top header that has only a line running underneath it.  Please note that this same altering technique could have been accomplished by also clicking on the the different border buttons located immediately outside of the preview diagram area.

Creating The 2nd Table

Let's move onto the second table, which will consist of the rest of our document.  For this table we'll need two columns and three rows.  For now, just to make things easier.  Let's go ahead and remove the borders from this table.  Again, this can be performed by clicking on Format from the top menu bar.  Next, clicking on the words Borders and Shading.  A box will appear with different table diagrams inside of it.  Choose the diagram or box that reads None. 

Row 1 Set-Up

Now, in the first row, first column you'll need to type the word Experience.  In the first row, second column you'll need to type your related work experience information, which includes your list of employers, positions held with each, and your professional achievements or duties performed with each.  Once this information is completely typed, you'll need to place your cursor or use your tab key to get over to the first column again, but this time your cursor should be positioned in the second row of this table. 

Row 2 Set-Up

Now, with your cursor positioned in the first column, type the word Education.  Next, tab over to the second column and type your educational achievements here.  If you look back at the professional resume illustration you'll notice that I've divided off the different sections Experience, Education and Computer Skills with thick black lines.  To create this same dividing technique on your resume, you'll need to shade the second column, second row.  Click on Format, click on Borders and Shading, click on the Custom box.  Next, go over to the preview diagram.  Click on the top and bottom borders until you see them appear.  Also, you can adjust the style and width of these borders by choosing between various line styles and entering a number in the width field.

Row 3 Set-Up

Now, let's move onto the third or rather final row.  Place your cursor inside the first column of the third row.  Type in the word Computer Skills or whatever appropriate header or title information you want to include here.  Next, place your cursor in the very next column and start typing the information that directly relates to this section header, in this case, the illustration calls for the following text: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Lotus Notes.

Choosing Your Fonts & Sizes

When developing your resume don't forget to choose a font that's easy to read.  Most professional and even amateur resume developers like to work with Arial fonts.  Also, your font sizes should be of the standard document size such as 10, 11 or 12.  Always reserve larger font sizes (e.g. 14, 16, 18, etc.) to highlight or enhance information that needs to stand out slightly such as name headers or section headers.  Also, if you'd like to make different company names and position titles stand out slightly, you should definitely consider using bolding, italics, CAPS or underscore features to complete this task.

Word 2000

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This article is © 2003-2004 by Tracy Miller and may not be reposted without written permission from the author and may not be reprinted for profit.