How to Fix Table Resizing When Pasting from Word to Outlook
Question details
The user wants to prevent a table containing an image from automatically expanding or losing its layout when copied from Word and pasted into an Outlook message.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Copying a formatted table that includes pictures from a word processor and pasting it into an email draft.
- Observed behavior
- The pasted table automatically becomes wider and adjusts to the Outlook window, losing the original formatting it had in Word.
Ensure your original Word document is saved before copying the table. It is also helpful to temporarily maximize your Outlook message window to clearly view the table layout tools.
Adjust AutoFit Settings in Outlook
Use the Table Layout tools directly within Outlook to lock the column widths after pasting.
By default, Outlook may paste tables with variable column widths, allowing them to adjust to the email window size. Forcing a fixed column width resolves this behavior.
Copy your table from Word and paste it normally into the body of your Outlook message.
Click anywhere inside the pasted table in Outlook to reveal the 'Table Tools' options on the top ribbon.
Navigate to the 'Layout' tab, click on 'AutoFit', and select 'Fixed Column Width'.
Manually drag the column borders to your preferred dimensions. They will now remain locked in place.
Pre-set Fixed Column Widths in Word
Prevent the issue by locking the table dimensions in Word before copying it to the clipboard.
Paste the Table as a Picture
If the table content does not need to be edited in the email, pasting it as an image guarantees the exact formatting is preserved.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do images inside tables cause the table to expand in Outlook?
Images carry their own wrapping and native size properties. If the table columns are set to automatically fit their contents (AutoFit to Contents), Outlook expands the column to accommodate the image's original dimensions.
Can I set Outlook to always keep the exact source formatting?
Yes, you can check your default paste settings by going to File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Advanced. Ensure that 'Pasting from other programs' is set to 'Keep Source Formatting'. However, fixing column widths manually is still the most reliable method for tables.
Is it better to create the table directly in Outlook?
Creating the table directly in the Outlook message draft is highly recommended if you are experiencing persistent paste issues. Because Outlook uses Word's rendering engine internally, building it natively ensures it is optimized for the email view.
