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Deleting Rows, Columns or Whole Tables (Introduction)

A quick and easy way to delete columns, rows or a whole table is to use the backspace key.

  1. Select the row or column or whole table.

  2. Press the Backspace key.

Avoid Using the Normal Style (97/2000/2002/2003)

If you use styles extensively in your Word documents, you should consider not using the Normal style. This is a predefined Word style which is used as the default for paragraphs. If you use defined styles for all your paragraphs, you can then search for any paragraphs defined with Normal. These are ones that have not been formatted properly and which deserve your attention. When there are no more Normal paragraphs in your document, you know that your formatting job is complete.

Deleting Styles (97/2000/2002/2003)

As you work with styles in Word, there may come a time when you want to delete a style you previously defined.

To do this, follow these steps if you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2002:

  1. Select Style from the Format menu.

  2. In the Styles box, select the style you want to delete.

  3. Click on Delete. You will be asked to confirm your action; click on Yes.

  4. To delete other styles, repeat steps 2 and 3.

  5. When you are done deleting styles, click on Close.

If you are using Word 2002, the process differs. Follow these steps:

  1. Choose Styles and Formatting from the Format menu. Word displays the Styles and Formatting pane.

  2. In the list of styles shown in the pane, position the mouse pointer over the style you want to delete. A down-arrow appears at the right side of the style name.

  3. Click on the down-arrow that appeared in step 2. Word presents you with a list of actions you can take.

  4. Choose Delete from the list of actions. You will be asked to confirm you action; click on Yes.

  5. To delete other styles, repeat steps 2 through 4.

  6. When you are done, close the Styles and Formatting pane.

Note that you cannot delete styles that are predefined in Word. If you select these styles, the Delete button becomes unavailable.

Listing All Styles in the Style Drop-Down List (97/2000/2002/2003)

When you first start to create a document, you often have a need to utilize different styles for your paragraphs. Unfortunately, those styles may not be initially visible on the Style drop-down list on the Formatting toolbar.

If you want to list all the built-in styles in the list, simply hold down the SHIFT key as you click on the down-arrow at the right of the Style drop-down list. Word dutifully lists more styles than you may ever need.

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