How to make landscape table in word: A step-by-step guide to creating landscape tables in Microsoft Word

Creating a landscape table in Microsoft Word is a straightforward process that allows you to display wide tables more effectively. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

1. Open your Word document and place the cursor where you want the landscape table.
2. Insert a Table: Go to the ‘Insert’ tab, click on ‘Table’, and choose the number of rows and columns you need.
3. Select the Table by clicking the small handle at the top left of the table.
4. Change Page Orientation:With the table (or just your cursor) in the correct location, go to the ‘Layout’ or ‘Page Layout’ tab on the ribbon.
5. Click ‘Breaks’ and, under Section Breaks, select ‘Next Page’.
6. Now place the cursor in the section containing your table. Go to ‘Orientation’ and choose ‘Landscape’.
7. This will turn only the page (or section) with your table into landscape orientation, while keeping the rest of the document in portrait mode.

If you’re designing complex documents—say, with floor plans, diagrams, or visual content relevant for interior layouts—I often recommend using a 2D or 3D planner first, then exporting layouts for Word as needed. This ensures clarity, accuracy, and visual appeal all at once. Especially in design work, optimal layouts are everything. For example, working with a 2D Floor Planner first lets you translate your concepts more seamlessly before adding them to written documents.

Tips 1:

After setting your table page to landscape, you can return the next section to portrait orientation if needed. Just insert another section break after your table and set the following section back to portrait.

FAQ

Q: Can I rotate just the table or must I rotate the entire page?

A: In Word, you rotate the page (section) rather than the table itself to landscape orientation for best table readability.

Q: What version of Word supports this feature?

A: Section breaks and orientation settings are available in most modern Word versions (Word 2010 and later).

Q: Will this affect headers and footers?

A: Headers and footers follow the new orientation in the landscape section, but you can unlink them from previous sections if needed.

Q: Can I make multiple landscape pages side by side in one document?

A: Absolutely—repeat the section break and orientation process for each table or page as needed.

Q: Why use landscape orientation for tables?

A: It provides more horizontal space, making wide tables with lots of columns easier to read and present professionally, especially in design documentation.