How to Insert a Table in a Gmail Message

Tables are fantastic! They present information in a clear, structured way — perfect for making things organized and easy to read.

But here’s the catch: if you’ve ever wondered how to insert a table in a Gmail message, you’ve probably noticed that Gmail doesn’t offer a built-in table feature…  A real frustration for anyone who loves clean formatting! 😭

👉So, how can you insert a well-aligned table into a Gmail message? We’ll walk you through several methods so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Method 1: For Simple Tables, Use Our Table Generator

Generate a Simple Table with a Very Basic Structure :

1. Type the number of rows and columns you need,
2. select the color for the headers/cells
3. Click on "Generate table"
4. If the preview looks great for you, click on "Copy Table"
5. Go back to Gmail, and you can paste the table into your email draft.

The table generator is available here :

Method 2: Add a Table to a Gmail Message Using Google Docs, Sheets, Word, or Excel

On desktop, inserting a table into Gmail is easy:

• Create the table in the tool of your choice.

• Copy it.

• Then paste it directly into the body of your email.

Step 1: How to Choose Between Google Docs, Sheets, Word, or Excel

Use Google Docs or Word if your table includes structured text, such as:

• Titles,

• Descriptions,

• Lists,

• Explanatory notes.

Use Google Sheets or Excel if your table contains numbers, calculations, or comparisons. These tools are designed for handling data, formulas, and sorting.

💡 The formatting is often even cleaner in Gmail when using Sheets or Excel.

Comparison: Docs/Word vs. Sheets/Excel

Step 2: Create the Table

Google Doc

In Google Docs, click Insert > Table, then hover over the grid to select the number of rows and columns you need. The table will be added automatically to your document.

Microsoft Word

To create a simple table, go to Insert > Table, then hover over the grid to choose the number of rows and columns you need.

For more control or to insert a larger table, select Insert > Table > Insert Table to manually specify the dimensions and adjust settings as needed.

Google Sheets

In Google Sheets, a table is essentially a formatted range of cells. To create one, simply enter your data into the spreadsheet, then use formatting tools—like borders, bold headers, and alternating colors—to give it a table-like structure. 

You can also use Format > Alternating colors for a quick visual style.

👉If you're interested in the topic, we've written a complete guide on mail merge with Google Sheets here.

Microsoft Excel

In Microsoft Excel, click anywhere inside your data range, then go to Insert > Table. A dialog box will appear to confirm the cell range and whether your table has headers—click OK to create the table. 

Excel will automatically apply table formatting and allow for filtering and sorting.

Step 3: Copy and Paste the Table into Gmail

Whether you’re using Excel, Sheets, Docs, or Word:

1. Right-click the entire table and choose “Copy”, or press Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on Mac).

2. Open Gmail.

3. In the email body, right-click and select “Paste”, or use Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac).

Method 3: Use a Google Chrome Extension

On desktop, certain Google Chrome extensions add a table feature directly within Gmail, often through the three-dot menu (⋮) or a dedicated “Table” button.

One of the most recommended options is Tables for Gmail by cloudHQ, which lets you insert a customizable table directly in the Gmail compose window — including settings for the number of rows/columns, colors, borders, and more.

Method 4: Insert a Table with Google Sheets in Gmail Mobile (Android/iOS)

Unlike on desktop, options on mobile are much more limited because:

• The Gmail mobile app does not support table creation.

• There’s no drag-and-drop system like on a computer.

• The Google Docs mobile app does not handle table copy-pasting well.

• Mobile versions of Word or Excel often fail to preserve formatting when pasted into Gmail.

• The other tools we've seen are simply not available on mobile.

⚡For these reasons, we recommend using Google Sheets, which is probably the most reliable option on mobile right now.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial:

1. Open the Google Sheets app on your smartphone and create a new spreadsheet.

2. Create your table.

3. Once it’s ready, long-press to select the table area and tap “Copy.”

4. Open the Gmail app, start a new email, and tap “Paste” in the body of the message.

Expert Insight: How to Add a Table to a Mail Merge Campaign

Inserting a table in a Gmail-powered marketing campaign is straightforward. We offer two options:

Option 1: Paste The Table Directly Into The Body Of The Email

Do it just like in Gmail:

• Create a table in Google Sheets or Google Docs.

• Copy it.

• Paste it directly into the body of your email.

Option 2: Convert The Table To An Image

Converting a table into an image is useful if:

• Your table isn’t too large.

• The recipient only needs to view the table, not edit it.
  
  

Start by taking a screenshot of your table and saving it to your Google Drive.

From the Mail Merge editor, click the Google Drive image icon. A window will open, allowing you to insert an image from Google Drive.

Our Experts Answer Your Questions About Tables

How To Edit A Table In Gmail ?

You can edit the content of a table as much as you like. However, you can’t modify the table structure itself — such as adding or deleting rows or columns — once it's been pasted into Gmail.

How Do I Insert A Table Into The Body Of An Email?

Gmail doesn’t offer a built-in feature to create a table directly in the email body. The easiest workaround is to create your table in an external tool, then copy and paste it into the email message.

How Do I Add Rows And Columns In Gmail?

Gmail does not allow structural changes to a table once it's been pasted into a message. If you want to add rows or columns, you need to edit the table in the original tool (Google Sheets, Docs, Excel, etc.), then copy and paste it again into Gmail.

Can I Use Html Code To Insert A Table Into A Gmail Message?

Yes, but it requires manually writing the HTML code for your table, then using an email editor or tool that allows HTML insertion. Gmail’s standard editor does not support pasting raw HTML code directly.

💡 This method is mainly for advanced users such as developers or email designers.

What If My Table Looks Incorrect Or Loses Formatting In Gmail?

Gmail generally preserves formatting when pasting a table. However, if your table appears broken or messy, Plain Text Mode may be activated.

To fix this:

• Click the three-dot menu at the bottom right of the compose window.

• Make sure “Plain text mode” is unchecked.

• Delete the broken table and paste it again.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to insert a table in Gmail, whether it’s for a simple message or part of a larger campaign.

👉 We also offer full guides on Gmail, including:

• How to insert a signature.

• How to mass delete emails.

• How to create folders.

If you're sending personalized emails at scale, try Mail Merge for Gmail — it lets you insert tables, customize content for each recipient, and send professional emails effortlessly.