Office for Mac Issues

How to Use Different Table Formats on One Excel Worksheet for Mac

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 29, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to apply different table formats, styles, and layouts to distinct sets of data on a single Excel worksheet on a Mac.

How to Use Different Table Formats on One Excel Worksheet for Mac

Product: Excel for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Creating multiple tables with distinct formatting on the same spreadsheet when traditional Word-style section breaks are not available.
Observed behavior: Users need to format data sets independently on the same sheet, as Excel applies uniform row and column structures globally and does not use section breaks to separate table layouts.

Before you start

Ensure your data sets are logically organized into distinct blocks before applying formats, and decide on the specific visual styles you want for each data section.

Solution 1Recommended

Create Separate Tables Segmented by Blank Rows

The most effective way to use different formats on a single worksheet is by defining multiple independent tables separated by blank rows.

Excel does not utilize section breaks like Microsoft Word. Because row and column widths are global across a worksheet, the best approach to distinct formatting is converting data blocks into independent Excel Tables and separating them visually.

Insert the first table

Select the first range of data you want to format. Go to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon and click 'Table' to create your first independent data set.

Apply a table style

With any cell in the first table selected, navigate to the 'Table Design' tab and choose your preferred color scheme and style from the Table Styles gallery.

Create a visual spacer

Leave at least one or two completely blank rows directly below the first table. This ensures Excel treats the subsequent data as a separate entity and provides a visual break.

Insert and format the second table

Select your second data range located below the blank rows, insert a new table via the 'Insert' tab, and select a distinctly different style and layout from the Table Design tab.

Create Separate Tables Segmented by Blank Rows

Filtering Limitations: If you place tables vertically (one below the other), filtering a column in the top table may hide rows that contain data for the bottom table. If you plan to filter heavily, consider placing the tables side-by-side with blank columns in between.

Advanced Table Formatting

Manage Multiple Table Formats Effortlessly with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office provides a seamless and highly compatible spreadsheet tool for Mac users. You can easily insert, format, and customize multiple tables on a single worksheet using an intuitive, modern interface.

1. Open your file in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office for Mac and open your existing spreadsheet or create a new one.
2. Format the first table: Highlight your first data block, navigate to the 'Home' tab, and click 'Format as Table' to pick your desired design style.
3. Format subsequent tables: Skip a few rows to create a visual break, select the next data block, and apply a completely different table style using the same 'Format as Table' menu.

Easily apply distinct table styles to different data ranges on one sheet.100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx and .xls) file formats and table layouts.Free, lightweight, and highly optimized for macOS performance.Rich library of built-in table templates and color schemes for immediate professional formatting.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Word-style section breaks in Excel to separate formats?

No, Excel does not support section breaks for formatting. Because row heights and column widths apply to the entire sheet, you must create independent tables separated by blank rows or columns to achieve different visual layouts.

How do I remove a table format without deleting my data?

Select any cell inside the table, go to the 'Table Design' tab, and click 'Convert to Range'. This removes the table functionality while keeping your data intact. You can then clear any remaining cell formatting from the Home tab.

Can two separate tables on the same worksheet have different column widths?

No, column widths apply universally to the entire worksheet column. If your tables are stacked vertically, changing the width of column A for the top table will also change it for the bottom table. To use different column widths, place the tables on separate worksheets or arrange them diagonally/side-by-side so they do not share the same columns.

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