Contents

# Optimal Column Width

Adjust column widths among columns with selected cells, according to the paragraph length in each selected cell. Widen the table, up to page width, if necessary.

Adjust column width for selected columns to fit the column’s content, without changing the width of the table or the unselected columns.

To access this command...

#### From the menu bar:

Choose Table - Size - Optimal Column Width.

Choose Format - Columns - Optimal Width.

Choose Format - Table - Optimal Column Width.

#### From the context menu:

Choose Size - Optimal Column Width.

Select column, choose Optimal Width.

Double-click right column separator in column headers.

#### From the tabbed interface:

Choose Table - Optimize Size - Optimal Column Width.

On the Table menu of the Table tab, choose Optimal Column Width.

Choose Layout - Column - Optimal Width.

Choose Home - Column - Optimal Width.

#### From toolbars:

Optimal Column Width

#### From the sidebar:

Choose Properties - Table - Optimal Column Width.

Optimal Column Width attempts to give a column width for the selected cells so that the longest paragraph in each cell can, as a minimum, fit exactly on a single line, though it is possible and common for columns to be wider than an exact fit.

The final distribution of column widths depends on several factors, such as the paragraph length of selected cells, the initial width of the columns with selected cells, and whether the table can be widened. Space is also included for any horizontal cell padding, paragraph padding, and paragraph indents. The width of the table is never reduced, and unselected columns are not changed.

The following list indicates how column widths are distributed for the selected cells. If the first step succeeds in distributing column widths for the selected cells so that all paragraphs in the cell are on a single line, then the process stops, otherwise the second step is attempted, if possible. The third step describes how column widths are distributed when it is not possible to fit all the selected cells after the second step.

1. Distribute column widths proportionally according to the longest paragraph in each cell, but remaining within the total column width for cell selection.

2. If some cells cannot fit exactly in the total width of the selection, and the table can be expanded (up to the page width), then expand the table width until all cells are fit exactly.

3. If the table width is at the page margin, and more than one selected cell does not fit exactly, then give as much width as possible to the first cell that cannot be fit exactly, and an equal (smaller) column width to the other cells that cannot be fit.

Step 1 is often sufficient for tables whose cells are primarily short paragraphs, while Step 3 is usually needed if many columns or rows are selected and/or selected cells have longer paragraphs.

## Add

Defines additional spacing between the longest entry in a column and the vertical column borders.

## Default value

Defines the optimal column width in order to display the entire contents of the column. The additional spacing for the optimal column width is preset to 2 mm.

Optimal Column Width attempts to give a column width for the selected columns so that the longest paragraph in each column can, as a minimum, fit exactly on a single line, though it is possible and common for columns to be wider than an exact fit.

The final distribution of column widths depends on several factors, such as the paragraph length and initial width of the selected columns. Space is also included for any horizontal cell padding, paragraph padding, and paragraph indents. The width of the table is never reduced, and unselected columns are not changed.

The option distributes column widths proportionally according to the longest paragraph in each column, but remaining within the total column width for the selected columns. When selected columns cannot be fit exactly, then the first column that cannot be fit exactly gets as much width as possible, while any additional columns that cannot be fit exactly get a smaller column width, which is equal for each of these additional columns.

Related Topics

Optimize Size

Size

Resizing Rows and Columns in a Text Table

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