Create table with default custom table style

Question

Create table with default custom table style

Todd Morgan 0

Create table with default custom table style:

When I create a new table, it is set to use the default custom style, but what happens is that the table doesn't use that custom style fully until I "Clear All Formatting" on that table. How can I make the table work properly from the start?

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4 answers

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Answer 1

Make sure that you set the document defaults so that they match the corresponding settings for the Normal style. This is usually an efficient step even if you don't actually use the Normal style much in your documents (and it works because of Word's convoluted hierarchy of styles and formatting). Word will honor settings applied by other styles, even inside table cells.

To access the settings of the Normal style, you can start in the Apply Styles pane (Ctrl+Shift+S). Type in Normal and click Modify. Basic font and paragraph settings are exposed directly in the Modify Style dialog box (and you can click Format > Font and Format > Paragraph, respectively, for more).

To access the document defaults, click the Manage Style icon in the Styles pane (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S) and go to the Set Defaults tab. The options shown there must match the corresponding options of the Normal style. (Again, this doesn't mean that you are limited to using the Normal style inside tables, only that the settings must match for other styles to be honored by Word.)

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Answer 2

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Answer 4

Chris-D 1,595 Independent Advisor

Hi Todd,

Thank you for sharing what happened when creating a new table with your default custom table style.

Based on your description, the custom table style appears to be selected correctly, but some existing direct formatting or paragraph formatting may be overriding certain elements of the table style. This would explain why the table displays correctly only after you use Clear All Formatting.

To help resolve the issue, here are some steps you can try:

Create a new blank document in Word and insert a table.
Select the entire table, then go to Table Design.
Right-click your custom table style and select Modify Table Style.
Review the formatting under Apply formatting to, including:

Whole table
Header row
First column
Banded rows

Select New documents based on this template, if available, and then click OK.
Right-click the custom table style again and select Set as Default.
When prompted, choose whether to apply it to the current document only or to all documents based on the current template.

Also check the options under Table Design > Table Style Options, such as Header Row, First Column, and Banded Rows, as these settings can affect which parts of the custom style are displayed.

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If the issue continues, please test the behavior in a new blank document. If the style works correctly there, the original document or its template may contain direct formatting or conflicting styles. In that case, copying the content into a new document or recreating the custom table style may help.

For additional information, you may also refer to: Customize or create new styles

I hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

If the answer is helpful, please click 'Yes' and kindly upvote it.

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Todd Morgan 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T15:57:59.4266667+00:00

Maybe this will help clarify... I am using Body Text as the document text so when I click to insert a table (let's say 3x5 cell layout) the text I type into the header is not bold and it appears the content follows the Body Text rule. As soon as I click Clear All Formatting it works fine. So wondering then how to make the default table style already working as a Cleared table and pull the style elements without having to clear?
Chris-D 1,595 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-15T16:21:20.6033333+00:00
Hi Todd,

Thank you for the additional clarification. This helps explain the behavior you are experiencing.

When you insert the table while the cursor is in a paragraph formatted with the Body Text style, Word may carry that paragraph style into the new table cells. The font formatting defined in Body Text, such as the non-bold setting, can then override the font formatting specified in your custom table style. This is why the header text does not initially appear bold, even though the custom table style is selected.

Using Clear All Formatting removes the inherited paragraph formatting, which then allows the header-row formatting from the table style to appear correctly.

To verify this, you can try the following:

Create a blank paragraph outside the table.

Apply the Normal style to that paragraph.

Place the cursor in the Normal paragraph and insert a new table.

Make sure Header Row is selected under Table Design > Table Style Options.

Enter text in the first row and check whether the bold header formatting is now applied.

If the table works correctly in this test, it confirms that the Body Text paragraph style is overriding part of the custom table style.

For a more consistent approach, you may create separate paragraph styles for your table content, such as Table Header and Table Text, and apply them to the appropriate cells. Since a table style does not automatically assign paragraph styles to individual cells, another practical option is to create a correctly formatted sample table and save it as a reusable Quick Part or building block. You can then insert that saved table whenever needed, with its table and paragraph formatting already in place.

I would not recommend modifying the Body Text style solely for this purpose, as doing so could also change the formatting of other Body Text paragraphs throughout the document.

Additional guidance: Use Quick Parts and AutoText in Word

I hope this helps clarify why the formatting is being overridden and provides a more consistent way to insert your tables.
Todd Morgan 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T16:34:29.12+00:00

OK thought so. I have already created styles for the Header and Body for tables and also created Quick Tables in addition to the Table Styles. Yes, when using Normal as the base doc setting, all works fine, but I never use Normal in my templates - always Body Text. So to that I assume there is no fix or solution to solve...
Chris-D 1,595 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-15T16:58:20.1833333+00:00

Hi Todd,

Thank you for your response.

When a table is inserted from a paragraph using the Body Text style, Word may carry that paragraph style into the table cells. Paragraph formatting may then override certain font attributes defined in the table style.

Word does not currently appear to provide a direct option to automatically apply separate paragraph styles to different parts of a newly inserted table. Table styles also cannot automatically assign paragraph styles, such as your Table Header and Table Body styles, to specific rows or cells.

Therefore, the Quick Tables and dedicated table paragraph styles you have already created remain practical solutions while you continue using Body Text throughout your templates.

Additionally, if you have any suggestions for improving this functionality, you may consider submitting them through the Word · Community. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.

I appreciate you sharing the additional details. If there is anything else I can help you with, please feel free to reach out.
Todd Morgan 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T17:08:06.4266667+00:00

Thanks for your help and confirming what I currently know. Much appreciated! Yes, I have submitted many asks about this in the past but to no avail as of yet. I am still crying over how MS broke PPT by taking away the solid edge wipe!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris-D 1,595 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-15T17:54:07.7133333+00:00

Hi Todd,

You’re very welcome. I understand what you mean, especially when a feature you regularly use is changed or removed.

Given the volume of feedback received, the development team may need time to review, evaluate, and prioritize user suggestions. However, your feedback remains valuable in helping the team better understand users’ needs.

Should you have any concerns or questions in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Not only will I be happy to assist you, but other users in the Q&A forum will also do their best to provide support and guidance.