Permission & Access Issues

How to Fix Word Table Row Height Option Grayed Out

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to adjust the row height in a Word document table because the preferred row height option in Table Properties is grayed out and cannot be selected.

How to Fix Word Table Row Height Option Grayed Out

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a table within a Word document.
Observed behavior: The checkbox and input field for 'Specify height' under the Row tab in Table Properties are grayed out, preventing any modifications to the row height.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary editing permissions for the document. If you received the file from a colleague or downloaded it from the internet, you might need to click 'Enable Editing' in the yellow banner at the top of the screen first.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Restricted Editing and Document Protection

Remove document protection that might be restricting formatting changes to tables.

Microsoft Word allows authors to lock documents to prevent unintentional or unauthorized formatting changes. If this feature is enabled, options like table row height will be disabled.

Open the Review Tab

Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the Microsoft Word ribbon at the top of your screen.

Access Restrict Editing

Click on 'Restrict Editing' located in the Protect group to open the right-hand sidebar.

Stop Protection

Look at the bottom of the Restrict Editing pane. If protection is active, click the 'Stop Protection' button. You may be prompted to enter a password if the original author set one.

Disable Formatting Restrictions

Once unprotected, uncheck the box labeled 'Limit formatting to a selection of styles' under the Formatting restrictions section to fully restore your ability to modify tables.

Disable Restricted Editing and Document Protection

Password Requirement: You will need the original password to remove document protection if the document author enforced it with a security key.

Solution 2

Remove Restrictive Content Controls

Check if the table is placed inside a locked content control box which prevents structural changes.

Solution 3

Copy the Table to a New Blank Document

Bypass document-specific corruption or template restrictions by moving the content to a fresh file.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Easily Adjust Table Row Heights in WPS Writer

If you are experiencing recurring issues with locked formatting or template glitches in Microsoft Word, try WPS Office. WPS Writer offers a highly compatible and user-friendly interface for editing DOCX files, allowing you to manage table properties smoothly and without hassle.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your DOCX file.
2. Access Table Properties: Right-click anywhere inside your table and select 'Table Properties' from the context menu.
3. Navigate to the Row Tab: Click on the 'Row' tab at the top of the Table Properties dialog box.
4. Specify Row Height: Check the 'Specify height' box, enter your desired row height in the input field, and click OK to apply the changes.

Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft OfficeSeamless compatibility with Microsoft Word .doc and .docx formatsIntuitive table formatting and properties managementEasy-to-use interface with familiar navigation menus

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Table Properties option grayed out completely?

This usually happens if you haven't actually selected a table, if the document is currently opened in 'Read-Only' mode, or if the document has strict editing restrictions enabled across the entire file.

How do I unlock a Word document for editing without a password?

If you don't have the password, you can try copying the entire contents of the document (press Ctrl+A, then Ctrl+C) and pasting them into a new blank document. This often leaves the document protection restrictions behind.

Can table styles prevent me from changing the row height?

No, standard table styles generally do not gray out the row height option. However, if the table is embedded inside another locked object, a macro-enabled content control, or a restricted template, the formatting options may become inaccessible.

Document & File Issues