How to use tables in Notes app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac


From creating grocery lists to brainstorming creative ideas, Apple’s native Notes app can be helpful in several situations. However, did you know that you can also create tables in the Notes app to organize the things you’ve written?

Here’s a step-by-step guide explaining how to create, use, and modify tables in the Notes app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

How to add table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the Notes app → Open an existing note or tap the Create Note button to create a new one.
  2. Select the table button.

    creating tables in notes app on iphone and ipad

For Mac

  1. Open the Notes app → Select an existing note or click the Create note button to start a new one.
  2. Click the table button from the toolbar.

    creating tables in notes app on mac

How to add columns or rows to table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the Notes app → Open an existing note with a table or create a new one.
  2. Tap a cell in the table to edit it.
    • To add a new column: Tap the three-dot icon above a columnAdd column.
    • To add a new row: Tap the three-dot icon next to a rowAdd row.

      how to add rows or columns

For Mac

  1. Go to the Notes app → Open an existing note with a table or create a new one.
  2. Click a cell in the table you want to edit.

    select a cell and click three dot icon
    • To add a column: Click the three-dot icon above the column → Hit the dropdown → Select Add column before/after.

      select add column before or after
    • To add a new row: Click the three-dot icon beside a row → Select the dropdown menu → Choose Add row below/above.

      select add row above or below

Rearrange rows or columns of table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Tap a cell in the column or row to rearrange it.
  2. Tap the three-dot icon located above the column or beside a row.
    Now, the corresponding column or row will turn yellow.
  3. Drag and drop the column or row wherever you want it in the table.

    rearranging rows and columns in notes app

For Mac

  1. Click a cell in the column or row that you want to rearrange.
  2. Click the three-dot icon located above the column or beside a row.
    Once you do this, the corresponding cell or row will turn yellow.

    select a cell and click three dot icon
  3. Click and drag the column or row wherever you want to rearrange it.

How to delete rows or columns from table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Tap a cell in the rows or columns that you want to delete.
    • To delete a column from table: Tap the three-dot icon above the column → Select Delete column.
    • To delete a row from table: Tap the three-dot icon next to a row → Select Delete row.

      how to delete rows or columns

For Mac

  1. Open an existing note with a table → Click a cell of the row or column you want to delete.

    select a cell and click three dot icon
    • To delete a column: Click the three-dot icon above the column → Select the dropdown menu → Click Delete column.

      select delete column
    • To delete a row: Click the three-dot icon next to a row → Select the dropdown menu → Select Delete row.

      select delete row

Format text inside table cell in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Double-tap a cell with text in it to select the text.
  2. Swipe right to left through the menu → Tap Format.
  3. Select bold, italics, underline, or the Strikethrough option.

    how to format text

For Mac

  1. Click a cell to place the cursor in it → Then, right-click the cell.

    select any cell
  2. Click Font → Select any format option.
    You may change the font style and add font color.

    format text in tables

How to convert text into table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Open a note with text → select the text you want to make the table from.
  2. Tap the table button.
    Each sentence will become a cell.

    how to convert text into table

For Mac

  1. Select the text you want to create the table from.
  2. Right-click the text → Select Add table.

    create table from text

How to convert table into text in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Open a note with table → Tap any cell.
  2. Tap the table menu in the toolbar → Select Convert to text.

    how to convert a table to text

For Mac

  1. Open a note with a table → Click a cell inside the table.

    select any cell
  2. Click the table button in the toolbar → Select Convert to text.

    convert table to text

How to select multiple cells inside table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Tap the cell you want to select → Tap the three-dot icon.
  2. Tap the little yellow dot and drag it to select rows and columns.

    how to select multiple cells

For Mac

  1. Head to an existing note with a table.
  2. Click any cell you want to select → Select the three-dot icon.

    select any cell
  3. Place your cursor on the little yellow dot and drag it to select cells.

    drag yellow dots

How to cut, copy, and paste table rows or columns in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Access a note with text → Tap a cell from the row or column you want to copy or cut.
  2. Double-tap the three-dot icon next to a row or above a column.
  3. Select Copy or Cut → Follow steps 1 to 4 again and tap Paste.

    How to copy cut and paste rows or columns

Tip: To copy the entire table, tap any cell → Select the table menu icon → Tap Copy Table. Now tap an empty space in the note → Tap the cursor → Select Paste.

For Mac

  1. Click a cell from the row or column that you want to copy/cut.
  2. Click the three-dot icon next to a row or above a column to select it.

    select any cell
  3. Press the Command + C key to copy or press the Command + X key to cut.
  4. Select any empty row or column → Press the Command + V key to paste.

How to share created table in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Access a note with a table → Tap any cell → Select the table menu icon.
  2. Tap Share Table → Choose how you want to share the table.

    share a table

For Mac

  1. Open the note with a table you want to share.
  2. Click the Share icon beside the search bar.
  3. Choose how you want to share the note.

    sharing table on mac

How to delete tables in Notes app

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Open a note with a table in it → Select any cell.
  2. Tap the table menu icon → Select Delete Table.

    delete a table

For Mac

  1. Open a note with a table in it → Select any cell.

    select any cell
  2. Place the cursor at the outer left of the table.

    place cursor outside
  3. Then, press the delete key to remove the table.

Wrapping up…

What’s your take on the Notes app and how much impressed are you with it? Share your feedback in the comments below.

Also read:

author avatar
Jignesh
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com, who has a keen eye for news, rumors, and all the unusual stuff around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting content on social media.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© 2024 iGeeks Media Private LTD. All rights reserved.