Which table style option in the "Design" tab adds banded rows to a table?

The "Banded Rows" option, found within the "Table Style Options" group on the "Table Design" contextual tab, is specifically designed to apply alternating background shading to the rows of a table. This visual effect, also known as zebra striping, enhances the readability of the table by making it easier for the eye to follow data across long rows. The other options apply formatting to specific, singular rows or columns rather than creating an alternating pattern throughout the table body.

A. First Column: This option applies special formatting (e.g., bold text) to the first column to distinguish it as a row header, not to create banded rows.

B. Total Row: This option applies special formatting to the last row of the table, which is typically used to display summary data or totals.

C. Header Row: This option applies distinct formatting to the first row of the table to differentiate it as the column header area.

1. Microsoft Support. (n.d.). Change the look of a table. Microsoft. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-the-look-of-a-table-0c3525f4-52a4-43d4-82ba-2f76a3d5ff07.

Reference Detail: In the section "Show or hide table style options

" the document states

"To show or hide banded rows... In the Table Style Options group

select or clear the Banded Rows check box." This directly confirms the function of the "Banded Rows" option.

2. University of Wisconsin-Madison. (2020

June 16). Microsoft PowerPoint (Win) - Working with Tables. UW-Madison Information Technology. Retrieved from https://kb.wisc.edu/showcase/page.php?id=99018.

Reference Detail: Under the "Table Styles" section

the guide explains the "Table Style Options" group. It describes "Banded Rows" as the option that "alternates shading for rows

" which aligns perfectly with the question.