Resizing Table Columns Seems to Resize Wrong Cells

• Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

Resizing table columns using the Column Width command in Word 6.0 for Windows can produce unexpected results in tables with merged cells.

If cells have been merged to the left of the column being resized, the column width command may appear to skip a cell inside the column and adjust a cell or cells outside the column instead. The cells affected are in the row of the merged cell.

CAUSE

Word 6.0 for Windows uses relative cell references to count the position of a cell from left to right. If you merge two or more cells, Word counts the merged cells as one cell, thus reducing the number of cells in the row and altering the cell references to the right of the merged cell. For example, a cell that originated in column 4 may be placed into column 3 after cells are merged to the left of it.

In Word 2.0 for Windows, merged cells affect column references only in columns containing merged cells. Cells not in the column containing the merged cells are not affected. In Word 6.0 for Windows, all column references to the right of merged cells are affected.

To determine how a merged cell affects column selection, select the column which you are attempting to resize by choosing Select Column from the Table menu (or press ALT+Left Mouse Button). The highlight pattern will show how Word is applying formats such as column width.

WORKAROUNDS

Workaround 1

If possible, avoid merging cells in tables in which large amounts of column formatting or calculations are being applied. Selective use of borders may help cells to appear merged when printed.

Workaround 2

In some cases, you can resize a column by placing the mouse pointer on the gridline and holding down the CTRL key. This may allow you to resize all the cells that appear to be in the same column. You may want to make a backup of the document before you resize the column since this method could affect the width of other columns to the right of the column you are attempting to resize, which may result in undesirable formatting.

Workaround 3

You can also break down the parts of the column before resizing to resize the width of cells within an affected column:

1. Select the portion of the column above the row with merged cells and adjust the width.

2. Select the portion of the column below and apply the new width.

3. Highlight the cell that appears to be affected by the merge. Make sure the whole cell is selected (including the end-of-cell marker if paragraphs are showing) and not just the contents of the cell.

4. From the Table menu, choose Column Width and adjust the width. By selecting an individual cell, you can adjust the width of one cell at a time.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 291-292, 326