Printing Problems

Fix PDF Tables Printing Incorrectly or Distorted in Microsoft Word

Camila Milosovich Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

Tables from converted PDF files display correctly in Read Mode but appear squeezed, split, or severely distorted when viewed in Print Layout or when printed on paper.

How to Fix PDF Tables That Print Incorrectly in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a Microsoft Word document that was converted from a PDF file containing tables.
Observed behavior: The table content is compressed or split incorrectly during printing because unsuitable global column settings are applied, even though the document looks perfect in Read Mode.

Before you start

Switch your document view from Read Mode to Print Layout (go to View > Print Layout) to get an accurate representation of how your document and tables will actually look on paper.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Column Settings for Specific Sections

Fix squeezed or distorted tables by applying column settings to specific sections individually rather than formatting the entire document with too many columns.

Applying multiple columns globally to an entire document can squeeze wide elements like PDF-converted tables. Using Section Breaks allows you to apply different column numbers to different pages or sections, ensuring your tables have enough space to print correctly.

Insert Section Breaks

Place your cursor at the beginning of the page containing the table. Go to Layout > Breaks and select 'Continuous' or 'Next Page' under Section Breaks. Repeat this at the end of the table.

Select the Table Section

Click anywhere inside the text or table that is located within the newly created section.

Change Column Settings

Navigate to the Layout tab, click on Columns, and select 'One' (or the appropriate number of columns that fits the table without squeezing it).

Preview the Document

Go to File > Print to check the Print Preview. Ensure the table layout is no longer distorted and fits properly on the page.

Adjust Column Settings for Specific Sections

Print Preview Confirmation: Always rely on the Print Preview screen (Ctrl + P) to verify the final layout before sending the document to your printer.

Solution 2

Use AutoFit to Adjust Table Width

Force the distorted table to automatically resize its columns to fit properly within the printable margins of the page.

Seamless PDF & Word Management

Flawlessly Convert and Print PDF Tables with WPS Office

Avoid distorted tables and frustrating layout issues by using WPS Office. Its powerful built-in PDF to Word engine accurately detects table structures, preserving original formatting for seamless editing and perfect printing.

1. Open PDF to Word Tool: Launch WPS Office and click on 'PDF to Word' located in the homepage toolkit or the PDF tab.
2. Convert the Document: Add your original PDF file containing the tables and click 'Convert'. WPS Office will create a highly accurate Word document (.docx) with intact table formatting.
3. Print with Perfection: Open the converted document in WPS Writer, navigate to Menu > Print, and use the accurate Print Preview to print your tables flawlessly.

Accurate PDF to Word table conversion with strict layout retentionSeamless Microsoft Word format compatibility (DOCX)Built-in Print Preview that strictly matches true paper outputFree and lightweight all-in-one office suite

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do PDF tables look fine in Read Mode but print distorted in Word?

Read Mode automatically reflows text and tables to optimize on-screen reading, entirely ignoring strict page widths, margins, and global column settings. Print Layout and the actual printout strictly follow these formatting rules, which exposes layout issues like tables being squeezed by multi-column settings.

Is there a way to set columns for just one page instead of the entire document?

Yes. You must use Section Breaks. Go to Layout > Breaks and insert a 'Continuous' or 'Next Page' break before and after the specific area. Then, click inside that section and apply your desired column settings (Layout > Columns). This isolates the formatting from the rest of the document.

What is the best view to check document layouts before printing?

Always use Print Layout view (found under the View tab) or the Print Preview screen (File > Print). These views provide the most accurate representation of exactly how your fonts, tables, and columns will align on physical paper.

Document & File Issues