How to resize a column without changing other columns' widths
When I resize a table column, it resizes the adjacent column so that the two columns take up the same width as they did before. Is there a way to make it so that, when I move a table column border, all other columns remain the same size? I know this may mean the adjusted table may not fit on the page, but sometimes I want to increase or decrease the overall table width. I tried going to:
Table tools layout / properties / table / options
and unticked "Automatically resize to fit contents" but it still behaves the same way.
Thank you
03-11-2016, 02:12 PM
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Before adjusting the column width, make sure the table's 'preferred width' option is not checked.
__________________ Cheers, Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]
07-11-2017, 01:59 PM
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To resize a column without affecting other columns, move the gray column markers on the ruler instead of dragging cell edges. Works like a charm.
08-29-2017, 08:55 AM
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Old post, but I just had the same issue with Office 365. Unchecking "preferred width" for the table did not work. Resizing the column using the drag handle on the top ruler worked perfectly. Thank you.
09-08-2018, 09:36 PM
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I gave up on this and then bing bang boom I found the hidden secret to resizing any single cell with word table using 2016. Here's the big secret in case it hasn't been posted yet. Are you ready? TRIPLE CLICK the cell to highlight the entire cell and its contents That's it. Now resizing works without affecting any other cells.
Did I win anything? Or has this been posted already? lol also I found this post via google so at least others will have the answer now.
09-08-2018, 09:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foryourinfo
I gave up on this and then bing bang boom I found the hidden secret to resizing any single cell with word table using 2016.
The topic of this thread, though, concerns resizing an entire column.
Although off-topic for this thread, triple-clicking on a table cell so you can resize the width of just that cell (and, as a consequence, have the opposite effect on the width of an adjoining cell on the side concerned) by dragging the cell border is standard fare for Word. I'm not aware it's ever been raised as an issue here, though. Do note that if you simply change the cell's width via Table Tools|Layout>Cell Size>Width, that will result in all cells to the right moving left/right to compensate instead of the adjoining cell resizing.
__________________ Cheers, Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]
05-14-2021, 01:21 PM
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Join Date: May 2013
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Thank you thank you thank you, Craig
Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigC
To resize a column without affecting other columns, move the gray column markers on the ruler instead of dragging cell edges. Works like a charm.
Craig, I am thrilled to finally have the answer to the problem that has been plaguing me forever. You rock.
04-14-2022, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 42
I'm now sane again!
I chewed away on this one for a long time. Craig's solution, for me at least, wasn't "standard fare," and I work with tables a lot. Worked great for me; thanks, Craig!
