Creating Tables with Specific Column Widths

Word allows you to easily create tables, but getting your column widths "just so" can be challenging, at times. For instance, what if you want a twelve-column table with the first two columns a certain width, and the rest of the columns sharing the remaining horizontal space? Here's an easy way to get the desired result:

1. Create a one-row, three-column table. This one-row table should fill the whole width of your document, from margin to margin.
2. Use the mouse to adjust the width of the first two columns, making them as wide as you need.
3. Place the insertion point in the third column of the table.
4. Select Split Cells from the Table menu. Word displays the Split Cells dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
5. Using the Number of Columns control, specify that you want the cell split into 10 columns.
6. Click OK.

Your row is now just as you wanted. To create more rows just like it, select the row and then choose to insert additional rows above the selected row (Table | Insert | Rows Above). After you insert the first row, just press F4 repeatedly until you have created the number of desired rows.