How to Move a Table in Google Docs

Written by Emilija Google Workplace / Docs

- 6 min read

Google Docs is among the most popular writing software programs for creating neat and polished documents.

Users can easily edit their documents by adding various elements, such as images, tables, or links, with just a few clicks.

However, even though Google Docs is a straightforward app, some users have trouble arranging the document, especially when adding tables.

People often wonder how to move the tables in their documents and place them in the desired position.

Throughout this how-to, we’ll show you every option there is for moving a table in Google Docs so you can pick the one that works best for you.

How to move Google Docs tables from one position to another

Moving your Google Docs tables means moving them from one place in your document to another.

It can be done using 4 different easy ways:

  1. With keyboard shortcuts.
  2. Through the Edit menu.
  3. With the table’s drop-down menu.
  4. By dragging the table.

1. Move tables in Google Docs with keyboard shortcuts

With Google Docs, one of the easiest ways to move a table from one place to another is by using a keyboard shortcut for cutting.

The shortcuts are different depending on the computer you use.

  • For Windows is ctrl+x.
  • For Mac is cmd+x.
  1. To move a table using the keyboard shortcuts, first select the table by either clicking on the table border or by dragging the cursor from the first cell to the last one. Now, the rows and columns will appear blue.

Google Docs selected table

  1. Press CTRL+x for Windows or cmd+x.
  2. Then paste the table where you want it to appear. Ctrl+V for Windows cmd+v for Mac.

2. Move tables in Google Docs with the ‘Edit’ menu

In case keyboard shortcuts do not feel natural to you, you can try another method, which does not involve pressing buttons on your laptop keyboard.

  1. Select the table in Google Docs by either clicking on the table border or by dragging the cursor from the first cell to the last one.

Google docs selected table

  1. Navigate to the ‘Edit menu’ and click on ‘cut’. Then, navigate to the position in your document where you want the table to appear.

google docs edit menu

  1. Go back to the ‘Edit menu’ and click on Paste.

3. Move tables in Google Docs with the table drop-down menu

  1. Select the table in Google Docs by either clicking on the table border or by dragging the cursor from the first cell to the last one.

Google docs selected table

  1. Right-click on the table and from the drop-down menu and choose ‘cut’.

Google docs drop down menu

  1. Paste the table where you want it to appear.

4. Move tables in Google Docs with the table with drag and drop

  1. Select the table in Google Docs by either clicking on the table border or by dragging the cursor from the first cell to the last one.
  2. Click on and drag the table to the new position.

How to align a table in Google Docs

Table alignment means aligning the position of the table in correlation with the other elements in the document.

How to align tables in the center, left, or right.

  1. Click on a table cell.

Google docs table cell

  1. Click on the ‘Format menu’ and click on ‘Table’.
  2. Select ‘Table properties’.

Google docs format menu

  1. Click on the drop-down menu under ‘Table alignment’.
  2. Select ‘Left’, ‘Center’, Right’.

google docs table alignment

How to put two tables side by side

  1. Create a 2×1 table.
  2. In the left side of the 2×1 table, insert another table.
  3. In the right side of the 2×1 table, insert another table.
  4. Put your cursor within the 2×1 table, right-click and choose table properties.
  5. Change the table border from black to white. This will make the 2x1 table invisible and it will look like the other tables are side by side.

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