Table, column and cell widths

M

Mary Ann

Can anyone recommend some material which I can use to learn in depth about
the implications of width preferences. E.g the impact of using percent
rather than cm, how to maintain a consistent table width while being able to
merge and split cells within it, the impact of the default auto-resize etc.

I used to be fine with tables in Word 2000 but my recent foray into them in
2003 has become a nightmare!

I would be grateful for any suggestions.
 
S

Stefan Blom

To prevent cells from resizing, you should specify fixed column widths (in
Table | Table Properties, Column tab) but also turn off the "Automatically
resize to fit contents" option in the Table Options dialog box (Table |
Table Properties, Table tab, click the Options button). To accomplish both
of these things in a single step, you can click Table | AutoFit | Fixed
Column Width.

Setting percentage widths in Word tables is discussed in this article:
http://word.mvps.org/faqs/tblsfldsfms/FitTableToPage.htm.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message
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M

Mary Ann

Thanks for the reply Stefan. Do you know of anything else that looks at this
topic in more detail?
 
S

Stefan Blom

You are welcome.

Well, you may want to read this article, which discusses problems with the
Table Properties dialog box:
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/TablePropPrbs.htm. And see the list
of articles on tables at http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/index.htm.

Also, I'd like to add that if you want to store and re-use a particular
table format, the easiest way is to select it and save it as an AutoText
entry. Then, the next time you need such a table, just insert the AutoText.
(For more on AutoText in general, see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/AutoText.htm.)

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message
 
M

Mary Ann

Thank you - lots of useful info - what a relief to be able to control the
width of a column again!
 
S

Stefan Blom

I'm glad I could help--and thank you for the feedback.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message
 

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