Editing Guide Pt 2Inserting a new tableMost interest group pages already include a meetings calendar in table format but you may want to create a new one, which you do from the table icon on the second row of the editor toolbar that looks like this >

Clicking that opens the Table Properties dialogue to the right >that allows you to define the main properties of the table you want to insert wherever your cursor is.(You can ignore the Advanced tab and both the Caption and Summary boxes at the bottom as they aren't used on the Mansfield U3A site.)

• Set the number of rows to whatever you want, allowing for any overall heading and column headings. (It's sometimes easier to sketch it on paper first.)

• The default table width of 500 pixels is adequate for a simple list of dates but a wider one, such as 80% or 95%, will be necessary if you want to include descriptions. (Note that both px and % units may be used.)

• The default Cell spacing and Cell padding values of 1 create a table with tight spacing between cells and narrow margins between the cell boundary and the text within it so you may like to increase these values. You may also want to reduce the Border size to 0, unless you want a black line around your table.

• Finally, set the Alignment to Left, Center or Right as you wish and click on the OK button at the bottom to insert the table into your page.

Modifying an existing tableThe text in existing table can be edited directly, simply by overwriting or deleting the text with all the tools available on the top row of the toolbar but please note:

• Text can only be changed cell-by-cell but you can change the text attributes in all of them at once, I.E. type face or size, bold on or off and italics on or off and text colour. To do that, just group the cells you want to edit by wiping your mouse across them from top left to bottom right. The cell boundaries should then glow to show what you've selected and you can then use the attribute buttons change the text attributes in all.

But the commands to add or delete complete rows or columns or change the background colour are all accessed from your mouse:

Right-click within any cell to open a menu like the one below (see page two for details)

Paste Right-click to paste text into the selected cell via a 'Paste' screen – but Ctrl+V is quicker.

Cell > Gives options to insert, delete, split, merge and delete cells and to change the cell properties

Row > Gives options to insert a new row before or after the one you are on or delete it.

Column > Gives options to insert a new column before or after the one you are on or delete it.

Delete table Deletes the entire table. (Use with caution!)

Table Properties A short-cut to the Table Properties dialogue above.

Merging CellsThis command is useful if you want your group programme to show two events on one day like this:

This shows a 3-column x 4-row extract from a large table in which both date cells have been merged with the next ones below them by wiping the cursor downwards, right-clicking to open the selection menu shown at the bottom of page one and selecting 'Merge Down'.

ColoursTo change background and border colours, first group the cells you want to change by wiping your mouse across them from top left to bottom right. The cell boundaries should then glow to show what you've selected and you can then right-click and select 'Cell Properties' as below. (NB: cells outside the selected group will not be affected.)

Choose 'Background-' or 'Border-' Color if you want to change one of them and select the new one you want by passing your mouse pointer across the spectrum in the menu below that will open until you like the one that shows in the Highlight window. Then click to confirm.

Your choice will be applied when you click 'OK'.

Caution:Dark colours often work well for headings but remember to select a contrasting text colour, or white, from the main editor bar before you save.

I'm sure you'll soon get the hang of this but never hesitate to ask if you want help. (Pt 3 will cover uploading photos.)

David Ling - 01623 822994 or mansfieldu3a@aol.com (With thanks to Terry Whitehead for help with testing.)