Share via

What happened to my "insert row or column tool" (plus sign), missing from word after inserting a table (Word for Mac)

Anonymous
2023-02-22T15:05:03+00:00

Hello, Im using Microsoft Word 16.70 with a 365 subscription on my Mac and after installing a table I noticed the plus sign that pops up when hovering over the edge of my row or top of my columns is missing. It isn't missing from my laptop which is also a Mac. Did i disable it? I found articles on how to disable or enable it for a PC. But that doesn't work for my Mac. Instructions for PC say to go Options > Advanced > check or uncheck Show pop-up buttons for adding rows and columns in tables. I need this for Mac. If i Open Preferences there is no Advanced. Where can I find this? I can work around it. Highlight row > right click > Insert > Row below. Yes, i am aware there are short cuts. I just want the plus sign back. Thank you in advance.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2023-02-22T19:18:00+00:00

    AFAIK this feature is available only in Excel for Windows. If you claim to have had it on a Mac it may have been available temporarily in Mac Excel on a test basis... Microsoft apparently has a back door through which they can slip stuff in & out to small pilot groups to monitor the feasibility of a new feature.

    From Microsoft KB:

    Use Insert Controls to add rows and columns

    Insert Controls work only with a mouse. If you’re using a touch device, use the mini toolbar, described above.

    Insert Controls appear outside your table when you move your cursor just above or to the left of two columns or rows. Click the Insert Control, and a new column or row will be inserted at that location.

    Insert control

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

4 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-02-23T03:35:32+00:00

    Thank you. I think you are right. I thought i did have it on my MAc Laptop but i checked today and i do not. I guess its been longer than i thought since Using a table. Thats crazy. Takes so much longer now haha

    0 comments
  2. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-02-22T17:00:52+00:00

    Hi

    I assume you're referring to this plus sign, which is actually a clickable button:

    Image

    The plus sign displays only in Print Layout view and Web Layout view. Make sure you're using one of those two views.

    If you are using those views. is this a problem with just one document, or do you get the same behavior if you open a new, blank document and insert a new table?

    0 comments
  3. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2023-02-22T16:56:25+00:00

    Please provide a screen shot of the Mac Word Preferences dialog depicting what you are referring to:

    On a Mac, you can enable the pop-up buttons for adding rows and columns in tables by doing this: Click on the "Word" menu in the menu> Select "Preferences" > Click on the "View" icon in the preferences window. Under the "Show" section, make sure the "Show pop-up buttons for adding rows and columns in tables" checkbox is checked. Close the preferences window.

    This has been v]brought to your attention before: Holding the Option key whlie launching the program does not have any effect at all, k]llet alone "resetting Word preferences".

    If the pop-up buttons are already enabled and you're still not seeing the plus sign, you can try resetting Word preferences to their default settings by closing Word, holding down the Option key while clicking on the Word icon in the Dock, and then clicking "Yes" to confirm that you want to reset the preferences.

    Please provide a screen shot depicting this as well:

    Alternatively, do this to restore default settings: go to the Word menu and click "Preferences". Then, click on "Reset all settings" in the "Personal Settings" section.

    0 comments
  4. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more