Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Changing Spacing Between Table Cells.
Word contains a very powerful table editor that allows you to create very complex tables. Normally, Word does not add any additional space between the cells in a table. You can manually adjust the amount of space, however. Follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Table tab of the Table Properties dialog box.
Figure 2. The Table Options dialog box.
If you are using Word 97 then the above steps won't work. Word 97 allows you to adjust only the space between columns. Follow these steps:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (85) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Changing Spacing Between Table Cells.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
When creating tables, Word automatically sets the size of the cells. But what if you want to make sure each cell is a ...
Discover MoreIndividual cells in a table can be aligned any way you desire. As pointed out here, just select the cell and apply the ...
Discover MoreYou can easily add borders to your table cells. This tip shows you how.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-09-03 20:10:59
Thanks for the help!
2017-05-09 18:02:28
Allen
Phil: Not sure which version of Word you are using. If you are using a very old version (Word 2003 and before), check out this article. If you are using a newer version of Word (Word 2007 and newer), then check out this article instead.
-Allen
2017-05-09 17:43:26
Phil Carter
Can't seem to be able to get a line of text in a Word table cell to center vertically. I have reduced the row height as much as it will go, and set an option to orient the text line t top of cell. But I get the result shown in accompanying image. Any suggestions, please?
(see Figure 1 below)
Figure 1. Text alignment in cell is too low - want it centered vertically
2016-06-12 01:27:09
Deepa
How do i make this part of default Wordtemplate... Anytime, i copy paste a table , it shold have a border, Table-border-spacing-set-to-zero
2016-01-15 18:34:26
Joe Blow
Doesn't work on 2010 version.
2015-12-27 17:03:35
at
thanks
2015-04-21 14:40:38
stacey
Can't find a way to adjust the text space within the table cell. The table insists on wrap (yes I turned on the wrap) of text with considerable space on the right of the cell.
2015-03-05 16:46:41
Shahbaz Ahmed Bhatti
Very Gooooooooooooooood and Best info with Screen Shoot. Thank you so much!!
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
Comments