Office Compatibility Issues

How to Split or Convert Tables in Word for Android

Adam Davis Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to split an existing table or convert a table into text using the Microsoft Word app on an Android device.

How to Split or Convert Tables to Text in Word for Android

Product: Microsoft Word for Android
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Editing documents with tables on a mobile device and attempting to break tables apart or remove the table formatting to leave just the text.
Observed behavior: The Android app lacks the specific advanced table-editing features, such as splitting a table or converting a table to delimited text, which are available in the full desktop version.

Before you start

Ensure your document is saved to a cloud service like OneDrive or Google Drive so you can easily access and edit it on a desktop computer for advanced table modifications.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Desktop Version of Microsoft Word

Since Word for Android does not support splitting tables or converting them to text, opening the document on a PC or Mac is the only direct method to resolve this limitation.

Mobile and web versions of Microsoft Office are designed for lightweight editing. They intentionally omit complex formatting tools to keep the applications responsive on mobile devices.

Sync Your Document

Save and sync the document from your Word for Android app to your preferred cloud storage platform, such as OneDrive.

Open on Desktop

Open the full Microsoft Word desktop application on your Windows PC or Mac, and load your synced document.

Split the Table

Select the specific row where you want the split to occur. Navigate to the 'Table Tools Layout' tab on the ribbon and click 'Split Table'.

Convert Table to Text

To remove the table structure, select the entire table, go to the 'Table Tools Layout' tab, click 'Convert to Text', and choose your preferred text delimiters (like tabs or commas).

Feature Limitations: Any table structure modifications made on the desktop version will be perfectly preserved and viewable when you reopen the document in Word for Android.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Let Microsoft know about this specific limitation to encourage them to add table conversion tools in future Android app updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Seamlessly Handle Complex Tables with WPS Office

While Microsoft Word for Android limits your ability to convert or split tables, WPS Office provides a fully featured desktop alternative that perfectly complements your mobile workflow. It is lightweight, free, and highly compatible with your existing files, allowing you to bypass mobile restrictions effortlessly.

1. Download WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office application for your PC or Mac from the official website to access full document formatting tools.
2. Open Your Word Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word (.docx) document directly without worrying about file conversion.
3. Edit Advanced Tables: Use the comprehensive Table Tools in WPS Writer to instantly split your tables or convert table data into plain text, then save it back for mobile viewing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word .doc and .docx formatsAdvanced table editing, splitting, and text conversion on desktopLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interfaceSeamless cloud syncing between your Android device and PC

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert text into a table using Word for Android?

Yes, while you cannot convert a table back into text, Word for Android does allow you to insert a table and populate it, or format existing separated text into a basic table structure using the Insert menu.

Why do mobile versions of Word have fewer features?

Mobile applications are designed to be lightweight and touch-friendly, prioritizing fast viewing and basic editing. Complex formatting tools are reserved for desktop environments to keep mobile apps efficient on lower-powered devices.

Is there any mobile app that can split tables in Word documents?

Most mobile word processors, including Microsoft Word and Google Docs, have limited table layout capabilities. You will generally need a desktop word processor like WPS Office or Microsoft Office on PC/Mac to split tables or convert them to text.

Will my table formatting break if I edit the text inside it on Android?

No, you can safely edit, add, or delete the text inside the table cells on Word for Android. Doing so will not break the underlying desktop-created table structure, even if you cannot split or remove the table layout itself on mobile.

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