Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set Default Table Styles and Options in Word

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure default table styles and options (such as Header Row, Banded Rows, and Last Column) for all new tables in a Word document.

How to Set Default Table Styles and Options in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating multiple tables in a document and wanting to apply a consistent style and structure without having to manually set the Table Style Options for each individual table.
Observed behavior: Word requires Table Style Options to be selected manually for each table and lacks a built-in global setting to automatically apply all six style options to every new table.

Before you start

Ensure you have a Word document open with at least one test table inserted so you can access the Table Design tab and experiment with style options.

Solution 1Recommended

Save a Customized Table as an AutoText Entry

Since Word cannot globally set all six table style options by default, saving a pre-configured table as an AutoText entry allows you to quickly insert identically formatted tables at any time.

This is the most effective workaround for retaining specific Table Style Options (like Last Column or Banded Rows) without having to check the boxes manually every time you create a table.

Format your base table

Insert a standard table and use the 'Table Design' tab to apply your desired Table Style. Check the necessary boxes in the 'Table Style Options' group (e.g., Header Row, Banded Rows, Last Column).

Select the entire table

Hover over the top-left corner of the table and click the four-headed arrow icon to select the entire table.

Save to AutoText

Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon. In the 'Text' group, click on 'Quick Parts', hover over 'AutoText', and select 'Save Selection to AutoText Gallery'.

Name and save

In the dialog box that appears, give your customized table a recognizable name, ensure the gallery is set to 'AutoText', and click 'OK'.

Reuse the table

Whenever you need a new table with these exact settings, go to 'Insert' > 'Quick Parts' > 'AutoText' and click on your saved table to insert it into the document.

Save a Customized Table as an AutoText Entry

Solution 2

Set a Custom Table Style as Default

You can create a custom table style and set it as the default for all new tables created in the current document or template.

Easily Manage Table Styles with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive word processing tool that makes inserting, styling, and managing tables incredibly straightforward. Enjoy a smoother workflow for document formatting while maintaining full compatibility with Microsoft Word files.

1. Insert a table: Open WPS Writer and navigate to the 'Insert' tab to add a table to your document.
2. Access table options: Click anywhere inside the inserted table to reveal the contextual 'Table Tools' and 'Table Style' tabs on the ribbon.
3. Apply styling quickly: Use the 'Table Style' tab to quickly apply preset designs or toggle structural options like 'Header Row' and 'Banded Rows' with single clicks.
4. Save with high compatibility: Save your meticulously styled document directly as a .docx file, ensuring seamless sharing with Microsoft Word users.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Intuitive Table Tools tab for quick style adjustments and layoutsBuilt-in customizable templates for consistent document designFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the Last Column formatting apply automatically?

In Word, formatting for the last column only appears if the 'Last Column' checkbox is manually enabled in the Table Style Options group, even if the selected table style inherently includes special last-column formatting.

Can I apply table style options globally to all existing tables in my document?

No, Word does not provide a built-in global setting to change these options for all tables simultaneously. You must configure them individually, or use advanced VBA macros to loop through and update all tables.

Where can I find the Table Style Options group?

Click anywhere inside your table, and the 'Table Design' tab will appear on the ribbon. The Table Style Options group (containing checkboxes for Header Row, Total Row, Banded Rows, etc.) is located on the far left side of this tab.

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