diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index 7012710e..16835ca5 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Package: flextable
 Type: Package
 Title: Functions for Tabular Reporting
-Version: 0.9.5.020
+Version: 0.9.5.021
 Authors@R: c(
     person("David", "Gohel", role = c("aut", "cre"),
     email = "david.gohel@ardata.fr"),
diff --git a/R/body_add_flextable.R b/R/body_add_flextable.R
index 7b571b1a..b3b99295 100644
--- a/R/body_add_flextable.R
+++ b/R/body_add_flextable.R
@@ -1,31 +1,100 @@
 #' @export
 #' @title Add flextable into a Word document
-#' @description add a flextable into a Word document.
+#' @description Add a flextable into a Word document
+#' created with 'officer'.
+#'
+#' @details
+#' Use the [paginate()] function to define whether the table should
+#' be displayed on one or more pages, and whether the header should be
+#' displayed with the first lines of the table body on the same page.
+#'
+#' Use the [set_caption()] function to define formatted captions
+#' (with [as_paragraph()]) or simple captions (with a string).
+#' `topcaption` can be used to insert the caption before the table
+#' (default) or after the table (use `FALSE`).
 #' @param x an rdocx object
 #' @param value `flextable` object
 #' @param align left, center (default) or right.
+#' The `align` parameter is still supported for the time being, but
+#' we recommend using `set_flextable_defaults(table_align = "center")` instead
+#' that will set this default alignment for all flextables during
+#' the R session, or to define alignement for each table with
+#' `set_table_properties(align = "center")`.
 #' @param split set to TRUE if you want to activate Word
 #' option 'Allow row to break across pages'.
-#' @param keepnext Defunct in favor of [paginate()].
+#' This argument is still supported for the time being, but
+#' we recommend using `set_flextable_defaults(split = TRUE)` instead
+#' that will set this as default setting for all flextables during
+#' the R session, or to define alignement for each table with
+#' [set_table_properties()] with argument `opts_word=list(split = TRUE)`
+#' instead.
+#' @param keepnext Defunct in favor of [paginate()]. The default value
+#' used for `keep_with_next` is set with
+#' `set_flextable_defaults(keep_with_next = TRUE)`.
 #' @param pos where to add the flextable relative to the cursor,
 #' one of "after", "before", "on" (end of line).
 #' @param topcaption if TRUE caption is added before the table, if FALSE,
 #' caption is added after the table.
 #' @importFrom officer body_add_xml
+#' @seealso [knit_print.flextable()], [save_as_docx()]
 #' @examples
+#' \dontshow{
+#' init_flextable_defaults()
+#' }
 #' library(officer)
 #'
-#' # autonum for caption
-#' autonum <- run_autonum(seq_id = "tab", bkm = "mtcars")
+#' # define global settings
+#' set_flextable_defaults(
+#'   split = TRUE,
+#'   table_align = "center",
+#'   table.layout = "autofit"
+#' )
+#'
+#' # produce 3 flextable
+#' ft_1 <- flextable(head(airquality, n = 20))
+#' ft_1 <- color(ft_1, i = ~ Temp > 70, color = "red", j = "Temp")
+#' ft_1 <- highlight(ft_1, i = ~ Wind < 8, color = "yellow", j = "Wind")
+#' ft_1 <- set_caption(
+#'   x = ft_1,
+#'   autonum = run_autonum(seq_id = "tab"),
+#'   caption = "Daily air quality measurements"
+#' )
+#' ft_1 <- paginate(ft_1, init = TRUE, hdr_ftr = TRUE)
 #'
-#' ftab <- flextable(head(mtcars))
-#' ftab <- set_caption(ftab, caption = "mtcars data", autonum = autonum)
-#' ftab <- autofit(ftab)
+#' ft_2 <- proc_freq(mtcars, "vs", "gear")
+#' ft_2 <- set_caption(
+#'   x = ft_2,
+#'   autonum = run_autonum(seq_id = "tab", bkm = "mtcars"),
+#'   caption = as_paragraph(
+#'     as_b("mtcars"), " ",
+#'     colorize("table", color = "orange")
+#'   ),
+#'   fp_p = fp_par(keep_with_next = TRUE)
+#' )
+#' ft_2 <- paginate(ft_2, init = TRUE, hdr_ftr = TRUE)
+#'
+#' ft_3 <- summarizor(iris, by = "Species")
+#' ft_3 <- as_flextable(ft_3, spread_first_col = TRUE)
+#' ft_3 <- set_caption(
+#'   x = ft_3,
+#'   autonum = run_autonum(seq_id = "tab"),
+#'   caption = "iris summary"
+#' )
+#' ft_3 <- paginate(ft_3, init = TRUE, hdr_ftr = TRUE)
+#'
+#' # add the 3 flextable in a new Word document
 #' doc <- read_docx()
-#' doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ftab)
+#' doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ft_1)
+#' doc <- body_add_par(doc, value = "")
+#' doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ft_2)
+#' doc <- body_add_par(doc, value = "")
+#' doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ft_3)
+#'
 #' fileout <- tempfile(fileext = ".docx")
-#' # fileout <- "test.docx" # uncomment to write in your working directory
 #' print(doc, target = fileout)
+#' \dontshow{
+#' init_flextable_defaults()
+#' }
 body_add_flextable <- function(x, value,
                                align = NULL,
                                pos = "after",
diff --git a/R/defaults.R b/R/defaults.R
index aaef58ff..80aeaf91 100644
--- a/R/defaults.R
+++ b/R/defaults.R
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ default_flextable_settings <- list(
   fmt_date = "%Y-%m-%d", fmt_datetime = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S",
   extra_css = "",
   scroll = NULL,
+  table_align = "center",
   split = TRUE, keep_with_next = FALSE,
   tabcolsep = 2, arraystretch = 1.5, float = "none",
   fonts_ignore = FALSE,
@@ -88,6 +89,8 @@ flextable_global$defaults <- default_flextable_settings
 #' @param extra_css css instructions to be integrated with the table.
 #' @param scroll NULL or a list if you want to add a scroll-box.
 #' See **scroll** element of argument `opts_html` in function [set_table_properties()].
+#' @param table_align default flextable alignment, supported values are 'left', 'center'
+#' and 'right'.
 #' @param split Word option 'Allow row to break across pages' can be
 #' activated when TRUE.
 #' @param keep_with_next default initialization value used by the [paginate()]
@@ -148,6 +151,7 @@ set_flextable_defaults <- function(
     fmt_date = NULL, fmt_datetime = NULL,
     extra_css = NULL,
     scroll = NULL,
+    table_align = "center",
     split = NULL, keep_with_next = NULL,
     tabcolsep = NULL, arraystretch = NULL, float = NULL,
     fonts_ignore = NULL,
@@ -188,6 +192,10 @@ set_flextable_defaults <- function(
     x$font.color <- font.color
   }
 
+  if (!is.null(table_align) && table_align %in% c("left", "right", "center")) {
+    x$table_align <- table_align
+  }
+
   if (!is.null(text.align) && text.align %in% c("left", "right", "center", "justify")) {
     x$text.align <- text.align
   }
diff --git a/R/flextable.R b/R/flextable.R
index cdcca393..a95240df 100644
--- a/R/flextable.R
+++ b/R/flextable.R
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ regulartable <- function(data, col_keys = names(data), cwidth = .75, cheight = .
 #' ft_4
 #' @family flextable dimensions
 set_table_properties <- function(x, layout = "fixed", width = 0,
-                                 align = "center",
+                                 align = NULL,
                                  opts_html = list(),
                                  opts_word = list(),
                                  opts_pdf = list(),
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ set_table_properties <- function(x, layout = "fixed", width = 0,
   x$properties <- list(
     layout = layout,
     width = width,
-    align = align,
+    align = if (is.null(align)) get_flextable_defaults()$table_align else align,
     opts_html = do.call(opts_ft_html, opts_html),
     opts_word = do.call(opts_ft_word, opts_word),
     opts_pdf = do.call(opts_ft_pdf, opts_pdf),
diff --git a/man/body_add_flextable.Rd b/man/body_add_flextable.Rd
index e3327b16..c438541b 100644
--- a/man/body_add_flextable.Rd
+++ b/man/body_add_flextable.Rd
@@ -19,34 +19,105 @@ body_add_flextable(
 
 \item{value}{\code{flextable} object}
 
-\item{align}{left, center (default) or right.}
+\item{align}{left, center (default) or right.
+The \code{align} parameter is still supported for the time being, but
+we recommend using \code{set_flextable_defaults(table_align = "center")} instead
+that will set this default alignment for all flextables during
+the R session, or to define alignement for each table with
+\code{set_table_properties(align = "center")}.}
 
 \item{pos}{where to add the flextable relative to the cursor,
 one of "after", "before", "on" (end of line).}
 
 \item{split}{set to TRUE if you want to activate Word
-option 'Allow row to break across pages'.}
+option 'Allow row to break across pages'.
+This argument is still supported for the time being, but
+we recommend using \code{set_flextable_defaults(split = TRUE)} instead
+that will set this as default setting for all flextables during
+the R session, or to define alignement for each table with
+\code{\link[=set_table_properties]{set_table_properties()}} with argument \code{opts_word=list(split = TRUE)}
+instead.}
 
 \item{topcaption}{if TRUE caption is added before the table, if FALSE,
 caption is added after the table.}
 
-\item{keepnext}{Defunct in favor of \code{\link[=paginate]{paginate()}}.}
+\item{keepnext}{Defunct in favor of \code{\link[=paginate]{paginate()}}. The default value
+used for \code{keep_with_next} is set with
+\code{set_flextable_defaults(keep_with_next = TRUE)}.}
 }
 \description{
-add a flextable into a Word document.
+Add a flextable into a Word document
+created with 'officer'.
+}
+\details{
+Use the \code{\link[=paginate]{paginate()}} function to define whether the table should
+be displayed on one or more pages, and whether the header should be
+displayed with the first lines of the table body on the same page.
+
+Use the \code{\link[=set_caption]{set_caption()}} function to define formatted captions
+(with \code{\link[=as_paragraph]{as_paragraph()}}) or simple captions (with a string).
+\code{topcaption} can be used to insert the caption before the table
+(default) or after the table (use \code{FALSE}).
 }
 \examples{
+\dontshow{
+init_flextable_defaults()
+}
 library(officer)
 
-# autonum for caption
-autonum <- run_autonum(seq_id = "tab", bkm = "mtcars")
+# define global settings
+set_flextable_defaults(
+  split = TRUE,
+  table_align = "center",
+  table.layout = "autofit"
+)
 
-ftab <- flextable(head(mtcars))
-ftab <- set_caption(ftab, caption = "mtcars data", autonum = autonum)
-ftab <- autofit(ftab)
+# produce 3 flextable
+ft_1 <- flextable(head(airquality, n = 20))
+ft_1 <- color(ft_1, i = ~ Temp > 70, color = "red", j = "Temp")
+ft_1 <- highlight(ft_1, i = ~ Wind < 8, color = "yellow", j = "Wind")
+ft_1 <- set_caption(
+  x = ft_1,
+  autonum = run_autonum(seq_id = "tab"),
+  caption = "Daily air quality measurements"
+)
+ft_1 <- paginate(ft_1, init = TRUE, hdr_ftr = TRUE)
+
+ft_2 <- proc_freq(mtcars, "vs", "gear")
+ft_2 <- set_caption(
+  x = ft_2,
+  autonum = run_autonum(seq_id = "tab", bkm = "mtcars"),
+  caption = as_paragraph(
+    as_b("mtcars"), " ",
+    colorize("table", color = "orange")
+  ),
+  fp_p = fp_par(keep_with_next = TRUE)
+)
+ft_2 <- paginate(ft_2, init = TRUE, hdr_ftr = TRUE)
+
+ft_3 <- summarizor(iris, by = "Species")
+ft_3 <- as_flextable(ft_3, spread_first_col = TRUE)
+ft_3 <- set_caption(
+  x = ft_3,
+  autonum = run_autonum(seq_id = "tab"),
+  caption = "iris summary"
+)
+ft_3 <- paginate(ft_3, init = TRUE, hdr_ftr = TRUE)
+
+# add the 3 flextable in a new Word document
 doc <- read_docx()
-doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ftab)
+doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ft_1)
+doc <- body_add_par(doc, value = "")
+doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ft_2)
+doc <- body_add_par(doc, value = "")
+doc <- body_add_flextable(doc, value = ft_3)
+
 fileout <- tempfile(fileext = ".docx")
-# fileout <- "test.docx" # uncomment to write in your working directory
 print(doc, target = fileout)
+\dontshow{
+init_flextable_defaults()
+}
+}
+\seealso{
+\code{\link[=knit_print.flextable]{knit_print.flextable()}}, \code{\link[=save_as_docx]{save_as_docx()}}
 }
diff --git a/man/set_flextable_defaults.Rd b/man/set_flextable_defaults.Rd
index 1d512aa2..f386b599 100644
--- a/man/set_flextable_defaults.Rd
+++ b/man/set_flextable_defaults.Rd
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ set_flextable_defaults(
   fmt_datetime = NULL,
   extra_css = NULL,
   scroll = NULL,
+  table_align = "center",
   split = NULL,
   keep_with_next = NULL,
   tabcolsep = NULL,
@@ -108,6 +109,9 @@ documented in \code{\link[=strptime]{strptime()}}. Default to '\%Y-\%m-\%d' and
 \item{scroll}{NULL or a list if you want to add a scroll-box.
 See \strong{scroll} element of argument \code{opts_html} in function \code{\link[=set_table_properties]{set_table_properties()}}.}
 
+\item{table_align}{default flextable alignment, supported values are 'left', 'center'
+and 'right'.}
+
 \item{split}{Word option 'Allow row to break across pages' can be
 activated when TRUE.}
 
diff --git a/man/set_table_properties.Rd b/man/set_table_properties.Rd
index 383b8c6a..8357e61e 100644
--- a/man/set_table_properties.Rd
+++ b/man/set_table_properties.Rd
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ set_table_properties(
   x,
   layout = "fixed",
   width = 0,
-  align = "center",
+  align = NULL,
   opts_html = list(),
   opts_word = list(),
   opts_pdf = list(),