To make all columns the same width in a Word table, click anywhere in the table (or select the columns you want to even out), go to the Table Layout tab (called Layout under Table Tools in older versions), and click Distribute Columns in the Cell Size group. Word spreads the table’s total width evenly across the selected columns. You can also right-click the table and choose Distribute Columns Evenly.
If you mean text columns (like a newsletter layout) rather than a table, the fix is different. Both are covered below, along with how to set an exact width and stop columns from resizing on their own.
Make table columns equal with Distribute Columns
- Click inside the table. To even out only some columns, select them by dragging across the top of the columns.
- Click the Table Layout tab.
- In the Cell Size group, click Distribute Columns.
Shortcut: right-click in the table and choose Distribute Columns Evenly. Use Distribute Rows the same way to make row heights equal.
Set an exact column width
- Select the columns.
- On the Table Layout tab, type a value in the Width box in the Cell Size group (for example, 1.5″) and press Enter.
For more control, right-click the table, choose Table Properties, click the Column tab, check Preferred width, enter a width, and use Next Column to set each one.
Stop columns from resizing as you type
- Click in the table and go to Table Layout > AutoFit.
- Choose Fixed Column Width.
AutoFit Contents makes columns shrink or grow to fit text, which can undo equal widths. AutoFit Window stretches the table across the page margins, then you can click Distribute Columns again.
Make text columns equal (Layout > Columns)
- Click in the text that’s in columns.
- Go to Layout > Columns > More Columns.
- Check Equal column width.
- Adjust Spacing if you want, and click OK.
Related: How to Change the Width of a Column in Word.
Troubleshooting
- Distribute Columns is grayed out. Click inside the table first. It only works when the cursor is in a table.
- One column still looks different. Merged or split cells can prevent even widths. Select the whole table with the small move handle at the top-left corner, then distribute again.
- The table runs off the page. Choose AutoFit > AutoFit Window, then Distribute Columns.
- Widths change when you paste text. Set AutoFit to Fixed Column Width before pasting.
Related: Insert an Excel table into Word and make it fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make all columns the same width in Word for Mac?
Yes. Click in the table, open the Table Layout tab, and click Distribute Columns.
Does Word for the web have Distribute Columns?
Word for the web has fewer table tools. You can drag column borders to resize them. For exact equal widths, open the document in the desktop app.
How do I do this in Google Docs?
Select the columns, right-click, and choose Distribute columns.
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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