Cut and copy for tables in Word Online (member)

Word Online allows you to cut or copy an entire table, specific rows or columns in the table, or a group of adjacent cells of a table and places them on the keyboard. The written instructions and videos on this page walk you through selecting each one of these.

When you insert a table or select one that is already in the document, additional ribbons appear. If you are in the expanded view, the ribbons are Table Design and Table Layout. If you are in minimized view there is one additional ribbon, Table, that contains all the items that would be in Table Design and Table Layout.

Clicking the arrow under the Comments button, at the right edge of the browser window, changes the view.

  • Expanded view
  • Minimized view

Entire table 

  1. There are several ways to select an entire table. 
    1. Through the Table ribbon (or Table Layout ribbon)
      1. Click the desired table, so the cursor is flashing in a cell. The Table ribbon (or Table Design and Table Layout ribbons) will be appear to the right of the Help ribbon. 
      2. Click the Table ribbon. If you are in the expanded view, click the Table Layout ribbon.
      3. In the Table ribbon in the minimized view, click the arrow to the right of the Select item. Go to step 4, if you are in the Table Layout ribbon of the expanded view.
      4. Click the Table item. 
    2. Through the right click menu 
      1. Click the desired table, so the cursor is flashing in a cell.  
      2. Click the right button on your mouse or track pad. A vertical and horizontal menu will appear. 
      3. In the horizontal menu, click the arrow to the right of the Select item. 
      4. Click the Table item in the menu that appears. 
    3. Mouse and trackpads 
      1. Click in the first cell. It is in the top, left of the table. 
      2. Click and hold down the left button on the mouse or trackpad. 
      3. Drag the mouse until all the cells are selected. 
      4. Release the left button on the trackpad or mouse. 
  2. Once the table is selected, perform the Cut or Copy function. 

Part of a table 

You can select a row or a column, multiple rows and columns, or a selection of adjacent cells. 

Individual row or column 

There are three ways to choose an individual row or column. 

  1. Click in one of the cells that are part of the column or row that you want to select. 
  2. Perform one of the following functions. 
    1. Table ribbon (or Table Layout ribbon)
      1. Click the Table ribbon (or Table Layout ribbon). 
      2. Click the arrow to the right of the Select item. Go to step 3, if you are in the Table Layout ribbon of the expanded view.
      3. Click the Row or Column in the menu that appears. 
    2. Right-click menu 
      1. Click the right button on the mouse or trackpad. A vertical and horizontal menu will appear. 
      2. In the horizontal menu, click the arrow to the right of the Select item. 
      3. Click the Row or Column in the menu 
    3. Mouse and trackpads 
      1. Click and hold down the left mouse button on your mouse or trackpad. 
      2. Drag the mouse or move your finger on the trackpad until all the cells in a row or column are selected. This technique can only select an entire row or column when you start with the top or bottom cell of a column or the far left or far right cell in a row. 
  3. Perform the Cut or Copy function 

Multiple rows or columns 

You can use all three techniques to select more than one row or column 

  1. Click a cell in the farthest left column that you want to include, or click a cell in the highest row that you want to include, so the cursor is flashing in it. 
  2. Click and hold down the left button on your mouse or trackpad. 
  3. Drag to the right or downward until a cell in each column you want to include are selected or a cell in each row that you want to include are selected. 
  4. Release the button. 
  5. Perform one of the following functions. 
    1. Table ribbon (or Table Layout ribbon)
      1. Click the Table ribbon. (or Table Layout ribbon)
      2. Click the arrow to the right of the Select item. Go to step 3, if you are in the Table Layout ribbon of the expanded view.
      3. Click the Row or Column in the menu that appears. All the cells in those columns or rows will be selected.
    2. Right-click menu 
      1. Click the right button on the mouse or trackpad. A vertical and horizontal menu will appear. 
      2. In the horizontal menu, click the arrow to the right of the Select item. 
      3. Click the Row or Column in the menu. All the cells in those columns or rows will be selected. 
    3. Mouse and trackpads: To do this way, ignore steps 1-4 above.
      1. Click a cell in the farthest left column that you want to include, or click a cell in the highest row that you want to include, so the cursor is flashing in it.
      2. Click and hold down the left button on your mouse or trackpad
      3. Drag the mouse or move your finger on the trackpad until all the cells in a row or column are selected. This technique can only select an entire row or column when you start with the top or bottom cell of a column or the far left or far right cell in a row. 
  6. Perform the Cut or Copy function 

A selection of adjacent cells 

You only can use the mouse and trackpad technique to select a a group of adjacent cells that is not an entire row or column. 

  1. Click a cell in the in the desired group that is the highest and farthest to the left, so the cursor is flashing in it. 
  2. Click and hold down the left button on your mouse or trackpad. 
  3. Drag to the right and downward until every desired cell is selected. 
  4. Release the button. 
  5. Perform the Cut or Copy function