Tables - Format messages with rows and columns

Thunderbird Thunderbird Last updated: 56% of users voted this helpful

When composing a message, tables can be used to display data in a structured format. Tables use columns and rows to create cells, which can contain text or images. They can also be used to control the layout, or how your signature is displayed.

Create a Table

  1. In the Thunderbird toolbar, click the Write button to start composing a message.
  2. On the Menu bar, click on Insert and select Table. A small Insert Table window will appear.

    'Insert Table' window
  3. Type the number of rows and columns you require. You can add or remove unwanted rows and columns at a later time.
  4. Choose the required width.
  5. Choose the required border (measured in pixels).
    Don't want a border? Set the number to 0.
  6. Click on OK to insert the Table.

Example of a 'Table'.

Add or Delete a Column or Row

Add a Column or Row

  1. Click on a cell adjacent to where you wish to add a column or row.
  2. On the menu bar, open the Format menu, then go to Table, then Insert, and select from the actions:
    • Row Above
    • Row Below
    • Column Before
    • Column After

Delete a Column or Row

  1. Click on a cell within the column or row.
  2. On the menu bar, open the Format menu, then go to Table, then Delete, and select from the actions:
    • Column(s)
    • Row(s)
To add and delete columns and rows on the fly, use the x and triangle icons on the table edges.

Add or Delete a Row or Column

Merge or Split Cells

Merge Cells

  1. Click and drag the mouse over the cells.
  2. On the menu bar, open the Format menu, then go to Table, and select Join Selected Cells.

Split a cell

  1. Select the merged cell.
  2. On the menu bar, open the Format menu, then go to Table, and select Split Cell.

Spacing, Padding, Alignment, and other advanced properties

  1. Click anywhere on the table.
  2. On the menu bar, open the Format menu, then go to Table, and select Table Properties. The Table Properties window will open.
    • The Table tab: Adjustments to rows, columns, borders, spacing, padding, table alignment, table caption and background color.
    • The Cell tab: Selected cells' height, width, content alignment, cell style, text wrap and background color.

Align Text

  1. Select the cell.
  2. On the Formatting Bar, click on the Choose Text Alignment icon.
  3. Select one of the options shown in the drop down list.

Set font color and background color for each cell

  1. Select the cell.
  2. On the Formatting Bar, click on the Choose color for text or Choose color for background icon.
  3. Select the color from the pop-up window.
  4. Click OK.

Use tables to customize the layout of your message

Any cell can contain:

  • Text or numerals (including lists)
  • Images
  • Links
  • Tables

Here is an example of a more complicated table. It contains a three-celled table; text aligned to the left, with the exception of the header and a sub-heading for Agenda, which are aligned as Center. It also contains three additional tables, one is a five-cell table, and the others are two-celled tables.

Complicated Table

Save as Template

If you intend to reuse the created table in further emails with the ability to adjust, you can save the email as a template in the Templates folder.

On the menu bar, open the File menu, then go to Save As, and select Template.

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