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In Word no data group in layout tab - trying to convert a table to text

Anonymous
2022-08-10T21:43:34+00:00

I am trying to convert a table to text. According to Help, the option is in the data group of the layout tab.

Unfortunately, there is NO data group in the layout tab. How do I get it to appear?

I am using Microsoft Home Office and Student 2019.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-08-10T23:23:21+00:00

    Hello Harold, Greetings for the day! I'm Chukwuemeka and I'll be glad to help you resolve this issue.

    To convert a table to text, kindly follow the steps below:

    1. Click anywhere inside the table you want to convert. Two contextual tabs will pop up in the ribbon once you click in the table ( Table Design and Layout )
    2. Click the on layout tab in the ribbon (the layout tab is located at the top of your screen towards the right)
    3. Click the "convert to text" button in the data group
    4. Select the character you will like to use to separate the text
    5. click on ok to convert the table to text.

    Please note: you have to click anywhere inside the table for the second layout tab to pop up. Kindly let me know if this was helpful. I'll be glad to help with any other clarification. Thank you.

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-08-11T01:36:44+00:00

    Microsoft has made the Ribbon infinitely more confusing in recent versions. Up through at least Word 2013, there was a PAGE LAYOUT tab, and inserting a table caused the contextual TABLE TOOLS (DESIGN and LAYOUT) to be displayed:

    Image

    Current versions, however, have renamed PAGE LAYOUT to just Layout and removed the TABLE TOOLS header so that you get the Table Design and Layout tabs shown in Doug's screen shot. You are not the first person to be misled by this duplicated terminology.

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  2. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 322.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-08-11T01:29:48+00:00

    Here's screen shot of the button that you need to use

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  3. Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-08-11T19:51:44+00:00

    As other contributors have said, you need to look at the contextual Layout tab on the far right, not the static (Page) Layout tab on the left.

    You should send feedback to Microsoft and let them know that you do not like this confusing naming convention (see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-office-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11).

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2022-09-19T13:46:17+00:00

    Thank you!

    Don't look in the "layout tab in the ribbon", but look in the "layout tab in the ribbon" instead. It makes perfect sense now. Ok, so sarcasm aside, knowing to ignore the first "Layout" tab and keep looking left for another "Layout" tab is the key. Knowing this MS ambiguity is especially important on small screens that may not show all of the tabs at first.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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