How do I insert text above a table at the top of a Word document?

44

12

This seems like it should be so basic, but it apparently isn't very intuitive.

The scenario: (1) I've inserted a table into a new blank MS-Word document. (2) I want to add some text outside and above the table.

Problem:
The table is butted right up against the top of the document and I can't move the cursor to a point before the table to insert any new text.

I've found that you can do this by cutting the table to the clipboard, type the new text and paste the table back, but there just has to be a more straightforward way to put the cursor at a point before a table that is at the top of a document.

JohnFx

Posted 2010-08-12T15:40:55.727

Reputation: 1 299

Answers

70

The active cursor is even with the bottom left of the table normally. You can just hit Ctrl+Home to get to the very first character of the file, then Enter to move the table down.

If your table is positioned after the section break, or on top of any other page, or anywhere else for that matter, place the cursor in the top left cell of the table, and hit Ctrl+Shift+Enter to insert a new line before the table.

JNK

Posted 2010-08-12T15:40:55.727

Reputation: 7 642

1Thank you Ctrl+Shift+Enter worked with me....20 years or more never though there is a fix for that :D and now just decided to Google it... – Bishoy Hanna – 2016-04-26T01:36:31.187

Doesn't work, that puts the cursor in the top left cell of the table. – JohnFx – 2010-08-12T16:43:10.523

7Correction, that DOES work, it just doesn't look like it. The cursor appears inside the fist/top cell, but hitting enter does indeed put the new-line outside of the table. – JohnFx – 2010-08-12T16:44:28.513

Glad to hear it helped! – JNK – 2010-08-12T16:52:49.400

absolutely stunning! +1. I hope Microsoft would add a special marker for such locations when "flipped-P" is switched on – Dinesh – 2017-10-04T23:53:08.617

1

If you've built a table that encompasses many pages and forgot to add a title on top of subsequent pages, which has happened to me quite a few times, I find that inserting a section break at the top left corner of your table (inside the first cell) gives you the space you need to copy and pace the title. Then you simply delete the section break (or not) and go about your life.

Joe Heinz

Posted 2010-08-12T15:40:55.727

Reputation: 11

0

Insert a new row to be a blank first row. Convert table to text. Done.

You need to ensure that your table vertical position is "Bottom" relative to margin otherwise new row keeps appearing on the previous page.

Kate Ryan

Posted 2010-08-12T15:40:55.727

Reputation: 1