There are a few ways to insert a table. Probably the most direct way is from the Insert tab. You can click on Table and then you have the option of dragging until you build the number of columns and rows you want.

Or you can select Insert Table… and get a dialog box where you can directly type the number of columns and rows you want.

When you click OK, Word will insert the table.

You can always add or delete columns and rows with the new Table Layout tab that will appear when you place your cursor somewhere in the table. To add more rows, press the Tab key when you are in the last cell of the last column.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to create a table.

1. Click in your document where you want your table to start.
2. Press the + sign on your keyboard.
3. Press Tab or use the spacebar to move the insertion point to where you want the column to end.
4. Press the + sign on the keyboard to create one column.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to create additional columns.
6. Press Enter on the keyboard.

This creates a quick table with one row. To add more rows, press the Tab key when you are in the last cell of the column.

The image above shows the first row that you typed, and then the result after you hit Enter. Use the mouse to change the column widths.