Tables in Microsoft Word can go wrong in many ways: they run off the edge of the page, columns won’t resize, text wraps one letter per line, rows split awkwardly across pages, or borders disappear. Most of these problems come from a handful of settings. This troubleshooting guide covers the most common table issues and how to fix each one. Use the headings to jump to your problem.
First: Select the Table and Find the Table Tools
Click anywhere inside the table. Two extra tabs appear on the ribbon: Table Design (styles, borders, shading) and Layout (rows, columns, sizing, alignment). To select the entire table, click the small four-arrow handle at its top-left corner. Many fixes below start here.
The Table Runs Off the Page
- Click in the table and go to Layout > AutoFit.
- Choose AutoFit Window. The table resizes to fit between the page margins.
If that doesn’t work, open Layout > Properties, and on the Table tab, uncheck Preferred width or set it to 100%. Also check that the left indent is 0. See how to fix a table in Word that is off the page.
Columns Are the Wrong Width
- Make all columns equal: Select the table and click Layout > Distribute Columns.
- Fit columns to their content: Choose Layout > AutoFit > AutoFit Contents.
- Set an exact width: Click in a column and enter a value in the Width box on the Layout tab.
- Drag manually: Hover over a column border until the pointer changes, then drag. Hold Alt to see measurements on the ruler.
To shrink the whole table, see how to shrink a table in Word.
Text Wraps Strangely or Shows One Letter per Line
This happens when a column is too narrow. Widen the column, or choose AutoFit Contents. Also check that cell margins aren’t too large: Layout > Cell Margins. For more, see how to wrap text in a table in Word.
Rows Are Too Tall or Won’t Shrink
- Look for extra blank paragraphs inside cells. Turn on Show/Hide ¶ (Ctrl + Shift + 8) and delete them.
- In Layout > Properties > Row, check whether Specify height is set with Exactly or At least, and adjust it.
- Reduce paragraph spacing before and after text in the cells (Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing).
The Table Splits Across Pages
To stop a row from breaking across two pages, select the table, open Layout > Properties > Row, and uncheck Allow row to break across pages. To keep the whole table together, select all rows except the last and turn on Keep with next in the Paragraph settings. To repeat the header row on each page, click in the first row and choose Layout > Repeat Header Rows. See how to stop a table splitting across pages.
The Table Isn’t Aligned or Centered
Open Layout > Properties, and on the Table tab choose Left, Center, or Right under Alignment. If text wraps around the table unexpectedly, set Text wrapping to None. See how to align tables in Word.
Borders Are Missing or Wrong
Select the table, go to Table Design > Borders, and choose All Borders. Use Border Styles, Pen Weight, and Pen Color to change their look. If you see gray dotted lines that don’t print, those are gridlines; toggle them with Layout > View Gridlines.
A Pasted Table Looks Broken
Tables pasted from websites, PDFs, or Excel often bring odd formatting. Try pasting with Keep Text Only, then use Insert > Table > Convert Text to Table. Or apply a clean Table Style from the Table Design tab to reset the look.
Merged Cells Cause Problems
Merged cells can make sorting and resizing fail. Select the merged cell and choose Layout > Split Cells to undo it, then rearrange.
Start Over Cleanly
If a table is badly damaged, select it and choose Layout > Convert to Text, then convert it back with Insert > Table > Convert Text to Table. This removes most hidden formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I type above or below my table?
Word always keeps a paragraph mark after a table, so click just below the table and start typing. If a table is at the very top of the document, click at the start of the first cell and press Enter to add a line above it. See how to move a table down in Word.
Why does the table look different on another computer?
Different fonts, page sizes, or Word versions can shift layouts. Use common fonts and AutoFit Window to keep tables within the margins.
Summary
To fix a table in Word, use Layout > AutoFit Window for tables off the page, Distribute Columns or AutoFit Contents for column widths, Table Properties for alignment and row breaks, and Table Design > Borders for missing lines. Show formatting marks to find hidden paragraphs that make rows too tall.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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