Resize all or part of a table

Adjust the table size, column width, or row height in Word 2003. You can change the size of multiple columns or rows and modify the space between cells.

In this article

Resize an entire table

  1. In print layout view (Print Layout view: A view of a document or other object as it will appear when you print it. For example, items such as headers, footnotes, columns, and text boxes appear in their actual positions.), rest the pointer on the table (table: One or more rows of cells commonly used to display numbers and other items for quick reference and analysis. Items in a table are organized into rows and columns.) until the table resize handle Square handle appears on the lower-right corner of the table.
  2. Rest the pointer on the table resize handle until a double-headed arrow Double-headed arrow cursor appears.
  3. Drag the table boundary until the table is the size you want.

 Note    If you are working on a Web page or in Web layout view (Web Layout view: A view of a document as it will appear in a Web browser. For example, the document appears as one long page (without page breaks) and text and tables wrap to fit in the window.), you can set the table to automatically resize to fit in a window when you change the window size. Click in the table. On the Table menu, point to AutoFit, and then click AutoFit to Window.

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Change column width

  • Rest the pointer on the column boundary you want to move until it becomes a resize pointer Resize pointer, and then drag the boundary until the column is the width you want.

 Note   

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Change row height

  • Rest the pointer on the row boundary you want to move until it becomes a resize pointer Resize pointer, and then drag the boundary.

 Note   

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Make multiple columns or rows the same size

  1. Select the columns or rows you want to make the same size

ShowHow?

Some parts of a table (table: One or more rows of cells commonly used to display numbers and other items for quick reference and analysis. Items in a table are organized into rows and columns.) can only be seen if you display all formatting marks by clicking Show/Hide Paragraph mark Button image on the Standard toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that you use to carry out commands. To display a toolbar, press ALT and then SHIFT+F10.).

To select:

A cell

Click the left edge of the cell (cell: A box formed by the intersection of a row and column in a worksheet or a table, in which you enter information.).

Select table cell

A row

Click to the left of the row.

Select table row

A column

Click the column's top gridline or border.

Select table column

Multiple cells, rows, or columns

Drag across the cell, row, or column.

Or select multiple items that are not necessarily in order. Click the first cell, row, or column you want, press CTRL, and then click the next cells, rows, or columns you want.

Text in the next cell

Press TAB.

Text in the previous cell

Press SHIFT+TAB

The entire table

In print layout view (Print Layout view: A view of a document or other object as it will appear when you print it. For example, items such as headers, footnotes, columns, and text boxes appear in their actual positions.), click the table move handle Four-headed arrow handle, or drag over the entire table.

 Note   You can also select rows, columns, or the entire table by clicking in the table and then using the Select commands on the Table menu, or by using keyboard shortcuts.

  1. On the Tables and Borders toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that you use to carry out commands. To display a toolbar, press ALT and then SHIFT+F10.), click Distribute Columns Evenly Button image or Distribute Rows Evenly Button image.

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Add or change the space between cells in a table

If you are using a table (table: One or more rows of cells commonly used to display numbers and other items for quick reference and analysis. Items in a table are organized into rows and columns.) to arrange text and graphics — for example, on a Web page — you can add spacing between table cells (cell: A box formed by the intersection of a row and column in a worksheet or a table, in which you enter information.). Example 1 shows no space between table cells, and example 2 shows space between table cells

Tables cells without and with additional cell space

  1. Click the table.
  2. On the Table menu, click Table Properties, and then click the Table tab.
  3. Click Options.
  4. Under Default cell spacing, select the Allow spacing between cells check box and enter the measurement you want.

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Applies to:
Word 2003