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Fix Word for the Web Not Showing Web Layout Correctly in SharePoint
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where wide tables in a Word document get cut off when viewed online through SharePoint, because Word for the web does not properly support the Web Layout view.
- Product
- Word for the Web / SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing and reading a document containing wide tables online via the SharePoint document library.
- Observed behavior
- Word for the web displays the document with a page edge, similar to Print Layout, instead of a true frameless Web Layout, causing wide tables to extend beyond the visible page edge and become unreadable.
Ensure you have the full Microsoft Word desktop application installed on your computer, as the web version currently lacks the necessary layout capabilities to display wide tables properly.
Open the Document in the Word Desktop Application
Bypass the limitations of the web viewer by launching the document directly in the full Word desktop application.
Word for the web is a lightweight editor and currently does not provide the same Web Layout view as the desktop application. It generally renders documents similarly to Print Layout, which forces page edges and cuts off wide content.
Navigate to the SharePoint library where your document is stored and click on it. It will open in Word for the web by default.
In the ribbon at the top of the Word for the web interface, look for the 'Viewing' or 'Editing' button.
Click 'Open in Desktop App'. If prompted by your browser to allow the application to open, click 'Allow' or 'Yes'.
Once the document opens in Word desktop, navigate to the 'View' tab on the ribbon and select 'Web Layout' to see your wide tables correctly without page boundaries.
Submit Feedback for Feature Implementation
Notify Microsoft that the Web Layout feature is essential for your SharePoint workflow.
Experience Flawless Document Layouts with WPS Office
Struggling with Word for the web cutting off your tables? Try WPS Office. It provides a robust, free desktop application that perfectly handles complex layouts and wide tables without the frustrating limitations of web-based viewers.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file directly. WPS handles Microsoft formats with native-level compatibility.
- 3. View in Web Layout: Navigate to the View tab and select Web Layout. Your wide tables will display perfectly, entirely bypassing the online viewer limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Word for the web support the Web Layout view?
No, Word for the web currently does not support a true Web Layout view. It renders documents similarly to Print Layout, which includes page margins that can cut off wide content like large tables.
Why are my wide tables getting cut off when I view documents in SharePoint?
When you click a document in SharePoint, it defaults to opening in Word for the web. Because the web viewer enforces a page-edge rendering style, tables that exceed standard page widths are visually cut off.
Will Microsoft add Web Layout to Word for the web in the future?
The feature has been requested by many users and proposed on the Microsoft feedback portal. While there is no official release date, you can encourage development by voting for the idea or submitting feedback directly through the Help menu in Word for the web.
