[Brad]

When I try to paste a selected and copied table from and to a different
location in the same Word document, the table layout disappears, leaving only
the text contents in the desired location.

I followed the procedure in the online Help, which follows:
In Print Layout view , rest the pointer on the table until the table move
handle appears.
Click the table move handle to select the table.
Do one of the following:
To copy the table, press CTRL+C.
To cut the table, press CTRL+X.
Place the insertion point where you want the new table.
Press CTRL+V to paste the table in the new location.

Why are my pasted tables "falling apart", and how to I really copy and paste
a table, please?

Thank you