Formatting Issues

How to Use Multiple Excel Tables with Different Column Widths

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to format multiple tables within the same Excel worksheet so they can have independent column widths.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up multiple tables that require distinct formatting and spacing within a single worksheet.
Observed behavior: Column widths apply uniformly across the entire vertical column, meaning tables stacked vertically cannot have independent column widths.

Before you start

Determine how many tables you need to display on your worksheet and identify which specific columns require independent width adjustments before rearranging your data layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Place Tables Side by Side in Different Column Ranges

Since Excel applies column widths vertically across the entire sheet, placing tables horizontally adjacent to each other allows you to adjust widths independently.

Excel's grid structure dictates that a column's width is uniform from the top row to the bottom row of the worksheet. Consequently, vertically stacked tables must share the exact same column widths. Placing them side by side bypasses this limitation, assigning unique columns to each table.

Select the second table

Highlight the entire second table that needs independent column width formatting.

Cut and relocate the table

Right-click and select 'Cut' (or press Ctrl+X). Click an empty cell in a new column range to the right of your first table, right-click, and select 'Paste' (or press Ctrl+V).

Adjust column widths independently

Hover over the column headers of the newly pasted table until the resize cursor appears, then click and drag the boundaries to adjust the width. This will no longer affect the first table.

Alternative Vertical Approach: If you absolutely must stack tables vertically, consider making all columns very narrow and using the 'Merge & Center' feature across varying numbers of columns to simulate different cell widths. Note that this can complicate sorting and filtering.

WPS Spreadsheet

Easily Manage Table Layouts in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet offers powerful and intuitive table formatting tools. You can effortlessly arrange multiple tables side by side and adjust column widths independently to create professional-looking reports without disrupting other data ranges.

1. Open your worksheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing file containing the tables.
2. Relocate tables horizontally: Select your second table, cut it using Ctrl+X, and paste it into a new column range beside the original table using Ctrl+V.
3. Adjust widths seamlessly: Drag the column headers above your new table to resize them without altering your original table's layout.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) files and formatting.Seamless drag-and-drop column width and row height adjustments.Lightweight software with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different column widths for cells in the same column in Excel?

No, Excel's architecture does not allow different widths for cells in the exact same column. A column's width is uniform for the entire worksheet. You must either place data side by side or merge cells to simulate different visual widths.

Does merging cells help with vertically stacked tables?

Yes, if you shrink all columns to a very small width, you can merge different combinations of cells together for each table to simulate independent column widths. However, merging cells can cause significant issues when trying to sort, filter, or write formulas.

Can I use multiple worksheets to solve the column width issue?

Absolutely. The simplest workaround, if you do not need to view all tables simultaneously on one screen, is to place each table on a separate worksheet tab within the same workbook. This allows for completely independent column and row dimensions.

How do I auto-fit column widths for multiple tables placed side by side?

Select the columns containing your side-by-side tables by dragging across their column letters at the top. Then, double-click the boundary line between any two selected column headers. Excel will automatically adjust each column's width to fit the longest content within it.

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