Create Tables in Windows 11 Notepad Like Microsoft Word

Windows 11 has introduced an exciting new feature in Notepad that allows users to create tables, making it easier to keep organized notes, compile book lists, or maintain to-do lists. This functionality is being gradually rolled out and is expected to be accessible to all users within the coming weeks.

Unlike the more complex table features found in Microsoft Word, Notepad’s new table option is designed for simplicity. Users can easily add, select, or delete columns and rows by right-clicking on the table itself.

Enhanced Formatting Options with Table Support

Earlier this year, Microsoft enriched Notepad’s capabilities with rich text formatting. This update allowed users to style text using options like bold, italics, underline, and bullet points. Now, with the addition of table support, Notepad is evolving into a more versatile tool.

For those who frequently use Microsoft Word, you might find that Notepad’s table feature is surprisingly user-friendly. To insert a table, you simply click the new Table button located on the formatting toolbar.

Upon clicking the Table button, a small pop-up appears for you to select the desired number of columns and rows, such as 3×4. If you require precise dimensions, you can access the “Insert table” dialog to manually input the exact figures before inserting the table.

Notepad now also includes advanced formatting capabilities, which means users can create Markdown-style tables. For instance, I created a simple table comparing Windows 11 to Windows 10, utilizing formatting features like bold text, italicized words, and hyperlinks within the table.

Editing tables is a breeze—simply right-click anywhere within the table or use the options on the table menu in the toolbar to insert or delete rows and columns, or even remove the entire table.

Additionally, users can quickly select a full row, column, or the entire table. A particularly useful feature is the “Fit columns to window width” option, which allows tables to automatically stretch to match the width of the Notepad interface.

Performance Considerations

While Notepad has certainly gained new features, some users may be concerned about performance impacts, especially given the addition of text formatting and AI functionalities. However, recent assessments by Windows Latest indicate that the integration of tables and formatting in Notepad remains lightweight and does not significantly affect performance.

That said, not everyone appreciates the influx of new features in a traditionally simple text editor. Fortunately, users have the option to disable many of these features if they prefer a minimalist interface, which can be done by accessing the settings via the cog icon.

Within the settings menu, you can toggle off various features, including formatting options, which will remove the ability to use bold, italics, or tables from the toolbar. Additionally, you can turn off Notepad’s file recovery capabilities as well.

For Microsoft 365 users, Copilot is also integrated into Notepad and can be disabled through the settings. It’s worth noting that disabling features does not completely remove them; instead, they are hidden, keeping the AI capabilities intact without constant connection to Microsoft’s servers.

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