fixing table width

Question

I use tables a lot, and want each one to be exactly 18cm wide, the first column exactly 1.1cm wide the the other columns variable. But as soon as I am working in the variable columns, it changes the width of the first one and the width of the whole table! It is so frustrating that the widths I want fixed are 'preferred', not 'fixed'. Can MS not please write an update to fix this? I am working in Word 2016, but my work colleague is using 365 and has the same issue.

Answer 1

Hi there Sally!

You might wanna try out the following method:

Under Table Tools, on the Layout tab, in the Table Size group, enter the size that you want in the Height and Width boxes.

To maintain the same ratio between the height and width of the table when you resize it, select the Lock Aspect Ratio check box.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/move-o...

To completely freeze a table size and it's column size, follow the following instruction:

Select the table, then right click on it.

Go to Table Properties > Under Table tab, click Options... > Uncheck the box of Automatically resize to fit contents > Click OK

Answer 2

Thanks again Del Lyn. It's the second option I want, to be able to freeze the width of the entire table, as well as the width of just the first column. I had already tried what you suggested and tried it again now, but each time I manually (as in drag the left or right border of a column) within the table, it changes the size of column 1 and of the whole table. Not by a lot, but still, it won't leave them exactly 18cm and 1cm.

Answer 3

Hi Sallly.

I have already figured out the scenario. Here's how you should follow:

Select the table, then right click on it.

Go to Table Properties > Under Table tab, check Preferred Width box and input 18cm

click Options... > Uncheck the box of Automatically resize to fit contents > Click OK

Go back to Table Properties > Under Column Tab, Click Previous Column until you get to see "Column 1" > Click Preferred width box and input 1 cm.

Click Next Column until you get to see "Column 2" > Uncheck Preferred width box.

Do the same for columns 3,4 and so forth. Click OK.

Regards,

Lyn

Answer 4

Fixed Column 1 width

Answer 5

Free width size for the rest of the columns