Squaring Table Cells

Tables can be very handy for organizing information in a document. Word provides the tools you need to create, edit, and format tables. In formatting a table, you may wonder about the best way to "square" all the cells in the table so that they are the same height and width. The answer depends on which version of Word you are using.

If you are using Word 2007, follow these steps:

1. Insert the table as you normally would, making sure it has the desired number of rows and columns.
2. Select the entire table.
3. Make sure that the paragraphs in the table are formatted so there is no space before or after. (Display the Home tab of the ribbon, click the small icon at the lower-right corner of the Paragraph group, and set Before and After to zero.)
4. Display the Layout tab of the ribbon.
5. In the Cell Size group, specify identical sizes in the Height and Width boxes.
6. Click the small icon at the lower-right of the Cell Size group. Word displays the Table tab of the Table Properties dialog box.
7. Click the Options button. Word displays the Table Options dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
8. Make sure all four cell margins are set to the same value.
9. Clear the Automatically Resize to Fit Contents check box.
10. Close all the open dialog boxes.

Follow these general steps if you are using Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003:

1. Insert the table as you normally would, making sure it has the desired number of rows and columns.
2. Select the entire table.
3. Make sure that the paragraphs in the table are formatted so there is no space before or after. (Choose Format | Paragraph and set Before and After to zero.)
4. Choose Table Properties from the Table menu. Word displays the Table Properties dialog box.
5. Make sure the Column tab is displayed. (Click here to see a related figure.)
6. In the Preferred Width box, enter the width you want used for each column.
7. Display the Row tab. (Click here to see a related figure.)
8. Make sure the Specify Height check box is selected, then specify the same height and measurement units you used for the column width in step 6.
9. Make sure the Row Height Is drop-down list is set to Exactly.
10. Display the Table tab, then click on Options. Word displays the Table Options dialog box.
11. Make sure all four cell margins are set to the same value.
12. Clear the Automatically Resize to Fit Contents check box.
13. Close all the open dialog boxes.

If you are using Word 97, the steps are a bit different:

1. Insert the table as you normally would, making sure it has the desired number of rows and columns.
2. Select the entire table.
3. Make sure that the paragraphs in the table are formatted so there is no space before or after. (Choose Format | Paragraph and set Before and After to zero.)
4. Choose Cell Height and Width from the Table menu. Word displays the Cell Height and Width dialog box.
5. Make sure the Column tab is displayed.
6. In the Width of Columns box, enter the width you want used for each column.
7. Display the Row tab.
8. Make sure the Height of Rows drop-down list is set to Exactly.
9. Enter the same value in the At box as you used in the step 6. You should note that the default measurement units in this box is points, while the default measurement units in step 6 is inches. Make sure you use the same measurement units here. (For instance, if you want the height to be .75 inches, you enter .75".)
10. Close all the open dialog boxes.