Word allows you to easily create tables, modify them, and place data in them. Word can even automatically adjust the dimensions of cells in your table to reflect the data that is in them. There may be times, however, when you want to "freeze" the size of cells in a table. For instance, you might want the cells to be a certain size, and never change—even when you place a large amount of data in the cell.
The first step is to adjust column width so that the columns in your table are the way you want them. Then, follow these steps if you are using Word 97:
If you are using Word 2000 or later, the process is slightly different:
Figure 1. The Row tab of the Table Properties dialog box.
Figure 2. The Table tab of the Table Properties dialog box.
Figure 3. The Table Options dialog box.
These last steps (5 through 9) are particularly important. If you don't clear the Automatically Resize to Fit Contents check box, Word can and will readjust the column width to display the most data possible in the table.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1605) 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: Freezing a Table.
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2020-08-28 08:12:37
Simon
Do you know how to have the automatically resize check box off by default and have it as persistent? I am putting lots of table and data in to word tables and want to fix the column width. I can't use macros for this though.
2019-08-30 04:51:12
chrizk
Do you know how to stop Resize from happening in Outlook, ie using the Word Editor?
Whatever I do, it always resizes. Even if I get it how I want it in Word, then paste it into Outlook.
2018-11-27 08:56:22
rob
I assume there is no way to LOCK the rows from expanding vertically, even when you click "exactly" if people grab onto the row they can size it. What would be awesome is if you could lock cells/rows from moving or expanding at all.
2016-11-11 15:33:55
David
Thank you
2016-09-07 14:02:42
cmm912
You addressed ROW size ONLY, my need is the COLUMN WIDTH! I put in the EXACT width I want the column to be, save it, and then as I type, the column width expands as though I did nothing! I have the "auto resize" box UNCHECKED. Does ANYONE have a solution???
2016-03-18 10:06:06
Laura Sherry
Hi
I have followed all the steps to freeze a table but it still does not work?
I can still keep typing and it disappears below the cell.
2015-10-26 19:56:06
Jaeson Dubrovay
Thank you for your comments...very useful.
2015-10-21 22:34:34
Hamza
Thank you so much. it really was very helpful, & was very easy.
2015-07-09 09:22:30
Sebalol (Denmark)
Worked and was easy to follow the step by step guide.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Sebalol
2015-03-05 14:02:13
I am trying to lock/freeze table cell to limit the amount of information in the cell. In other words, I don't want to type past the cell size provided. Is this possible? Can this be done with a text box. Just to be clear, I am not looking to just freeze the cell size but to actually limit what can be entered in the cell all together. Please help...... we have tried everything..
2015-01-12 18:56:56
Olga Sokolova
I found my problem. I left default size type in the dropdown box to "At least". This was wrong. I did not set Row height to "Exact". As soon as I set to "Exact" then this took care of my problem.
Thanks.
2015-01-12 18:37:36
Olga Sokolova
I have done all the steps, but cells are still changing the size if I insert more data. How to fix it? I suspect there is a bug in the software. Please help.
2014-12-07 15:43:33
Rachel
Thanks for this. At last I get my question answered succinctly and clearly without having to trawl through reams of other stuff that I don't need to know.
2014-11-10 10:11:42
KNeal
I have done all those things stated above and yet when I insert, or update a chart I may have copied into the cell, it changes all the cell widths. All 9 pages. Very frustrating.
2014-07-08 12:36:28
Kathy
Thank you so much!
2011-12-03 22:18:37
Jim Whitbeck
It did exactly what I needed done!
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