Header row text default settings in a table

Question

I'm trying to fix up a template someone else has started (eergh!) and I can't seem to get the table default settings right.

The little icon shows the custom default table with white text over a dark background for the header row but when I place a table it has black text in the header row. I've tried to 'modify table style' but it shows header row as white text. The text used in the header row has a style assigned 'table text heading' which has the right settings.

I guess I really want to design a new table style with the white heading, and make that the custom default style for all tables that are placed in this template and documents created with this template and delete the one that is there - is that the best way forward?

Answer 1

I meant I couldn't explain how normal, which was set to black, showed up as white after Neil changed  the default font color to automatic.   How the computer came up with that--I don't know.

But the problem was, indeed, the conflict between the settings in normal and the settings in the defaults.  (The poor table style is the innocent bystander this particular conflict.)

Answer 2

Was the template created in W2003 & before? Or in W2007 & after? 

Are you inserting the table in paragraph that is NOT the normal paragraph style?  If yes, the non-normal paragraph settings will be applied to all table text as direct formatting, and if the font color is black, that's what you'll get.  To clear the  direct formatting, select the table text and click the Clear Formatting button on the Home tab  (or press ctrl+spacebar to clear character formatting and ctrl+q to clear direct paragraph formatting).

Is your template/document well formed? I mean, are the settings in the normal paragraph style the same as those in the defaults (Styles pane > Manage Styles button > Defaults tab)? If they are not and the type color in normal is set to black, that's what you'll get.

When you insert a new table, is the heading row text black before you apply the paragraph stye to it, or after?  If white type is set in the heading row of the table style and the paragraph style is either white or automatic, the type should show as white.

Answer 3

Thanks Pamelia

Sorry for delay in responding, I've been away and busy on other things, but thanks for your prompt response. Great ideas/options, thanks, this is on the money!

Template was created in W2010

I am inserting the table in paragraph that is normal paragraph style, so I don't think it's that.

When I insert a new table the heading row is black, I can apply the para style 'table text heading' and it changes to white but I want it there white by default.

The template is well formed (I think), the settings in the normal style is black and that in the defaults is Automatic - might that be the problem? YES! When I set the font colour to black in the defaults the table heading text becomes white - fantastic. But, also the style 'table text normal' is white, this was black before but is now white even though the style settings say black - ? Why is that?

Answer 4

Thanks Girish ,but none of these links help in this case.

The stylel looks like it's okay but when I insert a new table it isn't so.

Answer 5

Hi Neil,

Without the actual styles, it is very difficult to suggest anything, so you may have a look at these links to modify the styles.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/style-basics-in-word-HA102647012.aspx#\_Toc292973773

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/apply-table-styles-HA102646935.aspx

I hope this fixes the issue. If you still have issues, you may reply and we’ll be happy to help you.

Thank you