How to have future rows within a table continue with the same color pattern

Sara Roberts 0 Reputation points
2026-10-14T15:57:50.2033333+00:00

I have a table inside a Word document. I would like to continue the pattern of alternating colors within the table for all future rows inside the table. Is this possible? If it is, can you give me step by step instructions?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

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  1. Marcin Policht 110.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-14T16:01:32.5533333+00:00

    Try the following:

    1. Enable Automatic Alternating Rows
    2. Click anywhere inside your table.
    3. Go to the Table Design tab at the top of the window.
    4. In the Table Style Options group (far left), check the box next to Banded Rows.
    5. In the Table Styles gallery right next to it, click on any design you like. The table will now automatically alternate colors every time you add a new row.

    If you want to choose your own precise colors instead of the default Word themes:

    1. Click inside your table and go to the Table Design tab.
    2. In the Table Styles section, click the More drop-down arrow (the small arrow at the bottom right corner of the style gallery box).
    3. Click Modify Table Style... at the bottom of the menu.
    4. Locate the drop-down menu labeled Apply formatting to: (it defaults to Whole table).
    5. Change this dropdown to Odd banded rows.
    6. Click the Shading icon (the paint bucket tool) and select your preferred color.
    7. Switch the Apply formatting to: dropdown to Even banded rows.
    8. Click the Shading icon again and select your second color (or leave it white).
    9. Click OK.

    Your custom pattern is now locked in. Pressing Tab in the very last cell of your table should generate a new row that continues your color sequence.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-14T15:58:34.0833333+00:00

    Apply a Word table style with Banded Rows enabled; rows added later will automatically continue the alternating-color pattern because the banding belongs to the table style rather than to individually shaded cells.^1^

    Apply automatic alternating colors

    1. Click anywhere inside the table.
    2. On the ribbon, select Table Design.
      • This contextual tab appears only when the cursor is inside a table.^2^
    3. In Table Style Options, select Banded Rows.
    4. In the Table Styles gallery, select a style showing alternating row colors.
      • Use the More arrow at the right of the gallery to display all styles.
    5. Add a test row:
      • Click in the row near which the new row should appear.
      • Select Table Layout > Insert Above or Insert Below.
      • The new row should receive the appropriate odd- or even-row color automatically. Word exposes the row-insertion commands under the table’s Layout tab.^3^

    If the first row contains headings, also select Header Row under Table Style Options. Word will then format that row separately while alternating the data rows.

    Use your own two colors

    If none of the built-in styles has the colors you need:

    1. Click inside the table and open Table Design.
    2. In the Table Styles gallery, right-click the style closest to the required appearance.
    3. Select Modify Table Style.
    4. In Apply formatting to, configure the style’s odd- and even-banded row areas:
      • Set the first band’s Shading color.
      • Set the second band’s Shading color.
    5. Save the modified style and apply it to the table.
    6. Ensure Banded Rows remains selected.

    Word table styles can define separate formatting for odd and even row bands, and the stripe size determines how many rows belong to each band; the normal alternating pattern uses one row per band.^4^

    If new rows do not follow the pattern

    The existing colors may have been applied directly with Shading, which can override the table style.

    1. Select the affected rows or the entire table.
    2. Open Table Design > Shading and remove the directly applied fill where appropriate.
    3. Reapply the desired table style.
    4. Confirm that Banded Rows is selected.

    Table-style and direct-formatting layers can reapply or override formatting, so modifying the table style is preferable to coloring each row manually.^5^

    References

    1. Table.ApplyStyleRowBands property (Word)
    2. [Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/word/training/insert-a-table)
    3. Add columns and rows to a table | Microsoft Support
    4. TableStyle.RowStripe property (Word)
    5. My font color changed to white - Microsoft Q&A
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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