Relationship between row height & cell margins

[Sesquipedalian Sam]

In Word (2007), I created a 3x3 table. I set the table properties to:

table width = 6", default cell margins = 0
row height = 2", exactly
column width = 2"
cell width = 2", cell margins same as table

Printing with borders I get a 3 x 3 that is exactly 6" wide and 6"
deep and the text completely fills each cell right up to the border.



Next I change the default cell margins to 0.25". All other properties
unchanged. The table properties are now set to:

table width = 6", default cell margins = 0.25
row height = 2", exactly
column width = 2"
cell width = 2", cell margins same as table

Printing with borders I get a 3 x 3 that is exactly 6" wide and but
6.75" deep. The text is about .25" from all 4 borders.


It appears that Word reduced the text area by 0.25" on all 4 sides,
but it also increased row height by 0.25" to 2.25" even though the
properties still say that it is 2".


What is the algorithm here?

Why is each row 0.25" deeper? I would think that it would either
remain the same, like the column widths do, or increase by 0.50",
since I increased both the top and bottom cell margins.

 

[Terry Farrell]

Unfortunately, Word tables have always behaved like this. The reason I see
if that where rows can be set to an Exact measurement, the Column and Table
width settings can only be set to a Preferred setting. What may work is that
first set the table without the cell margins. Then right-click and select
AutoFit and chose the Fixed Column Width option. Now add the Cell Margin
settings. Does that resolve the problem?

Note that the table will move to the left of the page margin by the amount
of internal cell margin set so that the text in the table lines up with the
text outside the table. If that's not what you want, indent the table by the
cell margin.

Terry Farrell

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

What Sam is saying, though, if I read it correctly, is just the opposite:
that the column widths behaved as expected but the row heights did not.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Terry Farrell]

Ah! Well I don't see that behaviour as long as I have my Row Height set to
Exactly rather than At Least. However, Table Width varies because there is
no 'Exactly' setting for Columns in the Table Properties dialog, only the
AutoFit, Fixed Column Width option.

Terry

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Yes, I confess I was surprised that he had as much success as he did with
the column widths vis-a-vis the table width. I never seem to be so
fortunate.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Sesquipedalian Sam]

Unfortunately, Word tables have always behaved like this. The reason I see
if that where rows can be set to an Exact measurement, the Column and Table
width settings can only be set to a Preferred setting.

I think that is part of it, but I was surprised that the row size is
only affected by the bottom cell margin, not the top.

What may work is that
first set the table without the cell margins. Then right-click and select
AutoFit and chose the Fixed Column Width option. Now add the Cell Margin
settings. Does that resolve the problem?

Yes, the order that the settings are changed makes a lot of
difference. What's worse, Word will change them without warning, so
you think you've set something only to find that Word has reset it
(because it knows what's best).

Note that the table will move to the left of the page margin by the amount
of internal cell margin set so that the text in the table lines up with the
text outside the table. If that's not what you want, indent the table by the
cell margin.

Yep, another one of Word's (not always) helpful behaviors.

 

[Sesquipedalian Sam]

What Sam is saying, though, if I read it correctly, is just the opposite:
that the column widths behaved as expected but the row heights did not.

Correct. Actually, the vertical margins are not even consistent. The
top margin behaves like the left and right, but the bottom margin
overrides the row height.

1. Create a table. Start with these basic settings:
* Table width = 6", default cell margins = 0.0.
* Row height = 1", exactly.
* Column width = 2".
* Cell width = 2", margins = same.

You will get a table with cells that are 1" x 2" and zero margins.

2. Changing the default top cell margin to 0.5" produces a table that
is the same size, but with an internal margin, so the text area is
reduced.

3. Changing the default bottom cell margin to 0.5" produces a table
that is the 0.5" deeper, with an internal margin, so the text area is
not reduced.

I'd love to hear some Microsoft developer explain the logic behind
that anomoly. My guess is it is some legacy decision, like Excel
continuing the date anomoly (error) from Lotus 1-2-3.

 

[Sesquipedalian Sam]

Ah! Well I don't see that behaviour as long as I have my Row Height set to
Exactly rather than At Least. However, Table Width varies because there is
no 'Exactly' setting for Columns in the Table Properties dialog, only the
AutoFit, Fixed Column Width option.

Try the experiment I described above. You can set the row height to
exactly all you like. The bottom cell margin will defeat it.

 

[Sesquipedalian Sam]

Yes, I confess I was surprised that he had as much success as he did with
the column widths vis-a-vis the table width. I never seem to be so
fortunate.

You have to be very careful about the order you make the settings. I
always go back and recheck all settings to make sure Word hasn't
"helped" me out.