Word table row copy and paste creates jagged columns

Question

Word table row copy and paste creates jagged columns

R. Keith Howard 1

When I highlight a row, then copy then paste, it pastes in a new row with columns that are misaligned with the original row. Is this a Word setting? (Note that ‘Layout’ > ‘Insert’ creates a new row with aligned columns, but this is not a copy.

Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-15T04:19:45.243+00:00

This problem is infuriating. When I want to copy/cut a row in a Word table and paste it into a new position in the table this exact thing happens, and has done for years.

It actually shrinks the table width for all other rows, and pastes the original row in with a larger width.

The workaround suggested does work (split table, paste row, merge table), but it shouldn't have to.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-15T18:41:27.887+00:00

This problem is infuriating. When I want to copy/cut a row in a Word table and paste it into a new position in the table this exact thing happens, and has done for years.

It actually shrinks the table width for all other rows, and pastes the original row in with a larger width.

The workaround suggested does work (split table, paste row, merge table), but it shouldn't have to.

Is your issue exactly the same as the one described by the original poster in this thread?

Feel free to share a sample document for illustration.
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T01:15:37.297+00:00

Here's a simple table created from Insert/Table:

Now I select a row and Copy (CTRL-C), go up 2 rows and Paste (CTRL-V)
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T01:21:11.917+00:00

If it makes any difference (it doesn't seem to) this is the paste setting
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-18T09:28:57.84+00:00

Please share a sample document in Word format.
R. Keith Howard 1 Reputation point

2022-07-18T11:13:47.697+00:00

Update: My networks guy set up a fresh copy of Windows 10 and Office 365 on a clean machine, and it fixed the problem. We still have no idea what caused the problem, so we are about to embark on a laborious process of trying to narrow down to see if any particular configuration or customization caused this.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-18T12:28:46.117+00:00

Thanks for the update. I'm glad things have improved. :-)
R. Keith Howard 1 Reputation point

2022-07-18T13:26:26.71+00:00

I will provide a further update as we eventually narrow down the culprit. It could take us a long time...
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T23:48:04.607+00:00

Unable to attach a Word doc..
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T23:54:47.827+00:00
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-19T00:09:03.817+00:00

Now this is interesting:

It was right-click on table, Table Properties

And weird, when instead of pasting as new row I choose "Merge Table" it pastes the copied row in the correct alignment.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-19T09:40:30.367+00:00
You can link to a sample document which has been uploaded to (say) OneDrive or Dropbox.

However, the quickest fix may be to run a macro. The following macro makes use of the AutoFit command; try it on a copy of the original document, to ensure that it does what you want.

Sub TestMacroSetConsistentWidths() 'Test macro created by Stefan Blom, MVP, July 2022 Dim t As Table For Each t In ActiveDocument.Tables t.AutoFitBehavior wdAutoFitContent t.AutoFitBehavior wdAutoFitWindow t.AutoFitBehavior wdAutoFitFixed Next t End Sub
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-20T01:23:57.747+00:00

Try this?

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D176BA091D341B38%2174607&id=documents
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-20T01:26:52.617+00:00

I work from a template document with maybe a hundred new versions in a year (one for each client)

I'm not sure applying a workaround is the correct approach? I'm after root cause resolution.

What is this behaviour?
Why does it happen?
and then - how to prevent it?
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-20T09:03:34.537+00:00

Try this?

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D176BA091D341B38%2174607&id=documents

I can't access that link. You need to generate a "share" link for the document.
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-20T10:04:45.397+00:00

try this one?
https://1drv.ms/w/s!AjgbNB0JunbRhMZvtYykkiYxyuIpyw?e=aDBqJA
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-21T09:26:27.78+00:00

The only way to fix the problem table in that document is to convert the table to text and then convert it back to a table. Finally, adjust column widths manually if necessary.
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-22T00:37:00.673+00:00

But wait, this can also happen with a new table in a new document.

Why does it happen? I mean, what is the underlying trigger for the erroneous behaviour?

Is it possible to run Word in developer mode with tracing on or something?
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-26T17:22:23.057+00:00

But wait, this can also happen with a new table in a new document.

Why does it happen? I mean, what is the underlying trigger for the erroneous behaviour?

Good question. I don't know why it happens. Personally, I experience it very seldom. You seem to be less fortunate.

Do you see any pattern at all? For example, does the issue occur with documents created from certain templates?
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-27T00:39:56.293+00:00

I see no pattern. It can happen in a brand new document, as demonstrated, and in a copy of a template.

I suspect it needs a ticket to go back to the developers for root cause analysis
Susan at large 0 Reputation points

2023-09-13T21:42:43.34+00:00

I have found the only way I can cop/move rows without this happening is to drag them. If I want to copy a row I will use shift+Ctrl drag and if I just want to move them I will just use shift + drag. Make sure that when you drop the row you drop it in the first position of the first cell BELOW where you wish to insert the row. (it always paste in above the row where you drop it)

8 answers

Your answer

Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-15T04:19:45.243+00:00

This problem is infuriating. When I want to copy/cut a row in a Word table and paste it into a new position in the table this exact thing happens, and has done for years.

It actually shrinks the table width for all other rows, and pastes the original row in with a larger width.

The workaround suggested does work (split table, paste row, merge table), but it shouldn't have to.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-15T18:41:27.887+00:00

This problem is infuriating. When I want to copy/cut a row in a Word table and paste it into a new position in the table this exact thing happens, and has done for years.

It actually shrinks the table width for all other rows, and pastes the original row in with a larger width.

The workaround suggested does work (split table, paste row, merge table), but it shouldn't have to.

Is your issue exactly the same as the one described by the original poster in this thread?

Feel free to share a sample document for illustration.
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T01:15:37.297+00:00

Here's a simple table created from Insert/Table:

Now I select a row and Copy (CTRL-C), go up 2 rows and Paste (CTRL-V)
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T01:21:11.917+00:00

If it makes any difference (it doesn't seem to) this is the paste setting
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-18T09:28:57.84+00:00

Please share a sample document in Word format.
R. Keith Howard 1 Reputation point

2022-07-18T11:13:47.697+00:00

Update: My networks guy set up a fresh copy of Windows 10 and Office 365 on a clean machine, and it fixed the problem. We still have no idea what caused the problem, so we are about to embark on a laborious process of trying to narrow down to see if any particular configuration or customization caused this.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-18T12:28:46.117+00:00

Thanks for the update. I'm glad things have improved. :-)
R. Keith Howard 1 Reputation point

2022-07-18T13:26:26.71+00:00

I will provide a further update as we eventually narrow down the culprit. It could take us a long time...
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T23:48:04.607+00:00

Unable to attach a Word doc..
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-18T23:54:47.827+00:00
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-19T00:09:03.817+00:00

Now this is interesting:

It was right-click on table, Table Properties

And weird, when instead of pasting as new row I choose "Merge Table" it pastes the copied row in the correct alignment.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-19T09:40:30.367+00:00

You can link to a sample document which has been uploaded to (say) OneDrive or Dropbox.

However, the quickest fix may be to run a macro. The following macro makes use of the AutoFit command; try it on a copy of the original document, to ensure that it does what you want.

Sub TestMacroSetConsistentWidths() 'Test macro created by Stefan Blom, MVP, July 2022 Dim t As Table For Each t In ActiveDocument.Tables t.AutoFitBehavior wdAutoFitContent t.AutoFitBehavior wdAutoFitWindow t.AutoFitBehavior wdAutoFitFixed Next t End Sub
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-20T01:23:57.747+00:00

Try this?

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D176BA091D341B38%2174607&id=documents
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-20T01:26:52.617+00:00

I work from a template document with maybe a hundred new versions in a year (one for each client)

I'm not sure applying a workaround is the correct approach? I'm after root cause resolution.

What is this behaviour?
Why does it happen?
and then - how to prevent it?
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-20T09:03:34.537+00:00

Try this?

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D176BA091D341B38%2174607&id=documents

I can't access that link. You need to generate a "share" link for the document.
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-20T10:04:45.397+00:00

try this one?
https://1drv.ms/w/s!AjgbNB0JunbRhMZvtYykkiYxyuIpyw?e=aDBqJA
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-21T09:26:27.78+00:00

The only way to fix the problem table in that document is to convert the table to text and then convert it back to a table. Finally, adjust column widths manually if necessary.
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-22T00:37:00.673+00:00

But wait, this can also happen with a new table in a new document.

Why does it happen? I mean, what is the underlying trigger for the erroneous behaviour?

Is it possible to run Word in developer mode with tracing on or something?
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-07-26T17:22:23.057+00:00

But wait, this can also happen with a new table in a new document.

Why does it happen? I mean, what is the underlying trigger for the erroneous behaviour?

Good question. I don't know why it happens. Personally, I experience it very seldom. You seem to be less fortunate.

Do you see any pattern at all? For example, does the issue occur with documents created from certain templates?
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2022-07-27T00:39:56.293+00:00

I see no pattern. It can happen in a brand new document, as demonstrated, and in a copy of a template.

I suspect it needs a ticket to go back to the developers for root cause analysis
Susan at large 0 Reputation points

2023-09-13T21:42:43.34+00:00

I have found the only way I can cop/move rows without this happening is to drag them. If I want to copy a row I will use shift+Ctrl drag and if I just want to move them I will just use shift + drag. Make sure that when you drop the row you drop it in the first position of the first cell BELOW where you wish to insert the row. (it always paste in above the row where you drop it)

Answer 1

Stefan Blom 3,406 MVP Volunteer Moderator

Looking at your example document, the copy/paste behavior I'm seeing is different from the one you are describing.

Here, Word seems to prefer pasting in the wider table format, even if I copy and paste the more narrow row.

What you can do is copy the row you want do duplicate, and then split the table or add a blank paragraph below the table, if you want to copy the duplicate at the very end of the table. Paste the row. Merge the tables again.

Lagil 6 Reputation points

2022-03-29T19:21:00.29+00:00

First, I don't see that your method fixed anything....the second example you showed (after the split, paste, and merge) still has "jagged" rows. Second, why do we now have to use this cumbersome workaround? I used to be able to copy and paste rows within the same table in earlier versions of Word, without the cell widths getting all screwed up like that.

Does Microsoft acknowledge that there's a problem now and, if so, are they working to resolve it? This has become a very frustrating and time-consuming problem, as I use tables frequently in Word!

(Apologies if you're not a Microsoft employee...I wasn't clear about whether you were or not.)
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2022-03-29T20:00:20.34+00:00

If table columns are different widths, you have to drag them into position. Hold the Alt key as you drag the border until the columns align again.
R. Keith Howard 1 Reputation point

2022-03-30T11:07:21.55+00:00

Sefan, the table has many rows, and all columns are aligned throughout all rows. I am aware of your Alt drag technique, and it is not necessary here.
The problem is that when you copy a row, and paste it somewhere else in the table, the column widths get very misaligned. This makes the table virtually unsuable. This is a major problem, as I work with big tables a lot.
Thanks.
Keith

Answer 2

Robb Jennings 5

I found a solution to this problem while trying to fix a different problem. I found if I turned off the "automatically resize" setting on the table itself it stopped doing this.

To do this, put your cursor inside the table, click on the Layout menu item in the ribbon, then Properties and then the Option button in the bottom left. Then untick "Automatically resize to fit contents"

User's image

Now copied table rows paste into the same table with the same column widths.

Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2023-07-19T07:34:10.67+00:00

I posted this answer on July 19... last year!

Answer 3

Erin Ding-MSFT 4,476

Hi @R. Keith Howard

What version of Office are you using?

Does this issue occur on specific Word document or all?
Please create a new file to check this issue.

If an Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 4

Stefan Blom 3,406 MVP Volunteer Moderator

After you have copied a table row, select the row where you want to insert the copy and press Ctrl+V.

Answer 5

R. Keith Howard 1

Hi Stefan, Yes, that is exactly what I am trying. It used to work perfectly every time, but sadly not anymore. Many thanks, Keith

Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-06-24T11:10:41.553+00:00

Do you see this problem in a particular document? (As I wrote, I'm not seeing it here.) You could try in another document.

You can upload the problem document with the forum, if you wish.
denise hale 5 Reputation points

2023-04-30T18:05:21.21+00:00

I am having the same issue. A year ago, I did not have this issue. These work arounds, which I am using, are NOT acceptable. Very time consuming and inefficient.
Stefan Blom 3,406 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-04-30T18:45:02.73+00:00

I am having the same issue. A year ago, I did not have this issue. These work arounds, which I am using, are NOT acceptable. Very time consuming and inefficient.

Denise,

In my experience, the issue discussed in this thread only affected some documents, so you may want to try recreating your template, if new documents are also affected on your system.

That said, this thread is two years old by now. It is probably a good idea to start your own, separate thread instead.
R. Keith Howard 1 Reputation point

2023-05-04T09:49:53.44+00:00
Hello all,

I have two updates regarding this problem.

I have come across a new, simpler, workaround.

See the comment from ‘Nick April 19, 2023 at 3:30 am’ on the following page:

https://cybertext.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/word-pasting-a-row-into-a-table-doesnt-keep-the-column-widths/

In our company, various system and application settings and GPOs are applied centrally, and all of our computers/users experience this same problem. However, when we tested on a “clean” machine, the problem does not exist. Therefore, I believe that this problem is caused by some non-obvious setting that we are accidentally applying.

Thanks,

Keith
Peter Shacklock 6 Reputation points

2023-05-05T09:28:49.1666667+00:00

Interesting workaround, but clumsy when going off-page with a cut/paste.

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Word table row copy and paste creates jagged columns

8 answers

Your answer