Adjusting Column Width Using the Ribbon

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 18, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365

In other issues of WordTips you learn how to adjust the width of table columns by using the mouse. If you want to adjust the size of table columns so they are precise, there is no way to beat the ribbon controls. You can adjust column width by following these steps:

Position the insertion point within a cell of the column whose width you want to change.
Display Layout tab of the ribbon. (This tab is visible only when you've done step 1.)
Using the Table Column Width control, in the Cell Size group, set the column width as desired.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 until you have set all the column widths desired.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12566) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

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