Creating Relative Tables

Help also supports relative or “autosized” tables. Unlike fixed-width tables, the columns in relative tables wrap dynamically when the user resizes the Help window. However, the columns in relative tables will only maintain their relative widths down to a minimum size. After that, they will not wrap. The minimum size is determined by the author who creates the table.

Relative or autosized tables are created by making the table rows centered. However, the procedure is different depending on which version of Word for Windows you are using. In Word for Windows version 1.1, you create centered tables by using the Format Table command.

To create a relative table using Word for Windows 1.1

1.1.Create a standard table.

2.2.From the Format menu, choose Table.

The Format Table dialog box appears.

3.3.Select the Align Rows Center option button.

4.4.Select Apply To Whole Table, and then choose OK.

Word for Windows version 2.0 does not have a Format Table command, so if you create a centered table using a frame and the Format Frame command, Word does not generate the correct RTF for the Help compiler to create an autosized table. To create the table in Word 2.0, use the Row Height command.

To create a relative table using Word for Windows 2.0

1.1.Create a standard table and select all the rows.

2.2.From the Table menu, choose Row Height.

The Row Height dialog box appears.

3.3.Under Alignment, select the Center option button.

4.4.Choose OK.

Setting the Minimum Width

The authored column widths are the minimum widths that will be displayed. Windows Help will make the table larger to fit a larger window, but it will not wrap it smaller. If the window is sized smaller than the authored table, the window displays horizontal scroll bars. Therefore, you must author the table at the smallest size that you want it to take in the window. For example, if you want it to wrap small, you should create the table at its smallest size, like this:

This            This
text            text
is in            is in
the            the
first            second
column.        column.

Windows Help sizes each column proportionally, but Help will not break words within the table to create nice text blocks. Windows Help does not understand optional hyphens or word breaking at all. So you are responsible for creating the right margin you want in this small size.

Adjusting the Table Columns

When you size table columns in Word for Windows, you can use three different methods. Using methods two and three allow you to reset the right column border to its former position after sizing the table:

nIf you size by dragging a column border, columns to the right are shifted horizontally, but their width remains the same. The result is that the right boundary of the table changes position.

nIf you hold down the SHIFT key before dragging the column border, the column immediately to the right is sized, but its right border stays the same.

nIf you hold down CTRL before dragging the column border, all columns to the right are sized proportionally, and the right boundary of the table stays the same.