WD97: How to Set Table Width to Percentage of Browser Window

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden system files in the Windows folder.

SUMMARY

Microsoft Word 97 saves Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tables in a fixed width. This article describes how to save an HTML table with a width that equals a percentage of the window width.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95 or Windows NT. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

When you save a Microsoft Word 97 in HTML format, a table in the document is saved as a fixed width table by default. When you view the document with a Web browser, you may be unable to see the right side of the table unless you scroll right. You can avoid having to scroll through the window to view portions of the table, by adding the PercentageTableWidth option to the Windows registry. This option saves the table using a percentage so that the table automatically adjusts to the size of the browser window.

To add the PercentageTableWidth option to the registry, do the following:

1. Quit all applications.

2. Click the Windows Start button, and then click Run.

3. In the Open dialog box, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK.

4. Go to the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Text Converters\ Export\HTML

   The status bar will display the following:

   My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Text Converters\Export\HTML

5. Click the HTML key to select it.

6. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File, type a file name, and then click Save.

7. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.

8. Type Options, and then press ENTER.

   The Options key should be selected.

9. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click String Value.

10. Type PercentageTableWidth and then press ENTER.

    The PercentageTableWidth string name is selected.

11. On the Edit menu, click Modify.

12. In the Edit String dialog box, type "1" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK.

13. On the Registry menu, click Exit.