Office for Mac Issues

How to Stop Word Tables from Moving After Resizing on Mac

Natalie Taylor Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent Word tables from automatically shifting position or changing size after manually adjusting the borders.

How to Stop Word Tables from Moving After Resizing on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Manually adjusting or resizing table borders within a Word document.
Observed behavior: The table automatically changes its position or size shortly after its borders are manually adjusted, often due to conflicting table alignment settings.

Before you start

Before making adjustments, click anywhere inside the affected table to reveal the Table Design and Layout tabs on your ribbon menu.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Table Properties for Precise Alignment

Using the Table Properties dialog prevents automatic shifting by setting explicit alignment rules instead of relying on manual dragging.

Dragging table borders manually can trigger automatic repositioning based on Word's default formatting behavior. Setting precise properties ensures your table remains exactly where you want it.

Select the Table

Click the small crosshair icon at the top-left corner of the table to select the entire table.

Open Table Properties

Navigate to the Table Design tab, then click Layout > Properties.

Adjust Alignment Settings

In the Table Properties dialog, go to the Table tab and select your preferred alignment (e.g., Left).

Set Indentation

If you chose Left alignment, set the 'Indent from left' value to 0 to ensure it aligns perfectly with your document margin, then click OK.

Use Table Properties for Precise Alignment

Check Surrounding Tables: If you have multiple tables, check whether some are centered while others are left-aligned. Conflicting alignments between consecutive tables often create the illusion of unexpected movement.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Stable Document Formatting with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to shift your tables unpredictably, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative where table formatting remains exactly as you set it, without unexpected layout changes.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac and install the free, lightweight suite.
2. Open Your Document: Open your existing .docx files directly in WPS Writer with flawless format retention.
3. Edit Tables Securely: Right-click any table and select Table Properties to set precise, stable alignments that won't jump around.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsStable table formatting that prevents unpredictable auto-shiftingFamiliar, easy-to-use interface that requires no learning curveLightweight application optimized for smooth performance on Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Word tables keep moving when I add text?

This usually happens if the table's text wrapping is set to 'Around' instead of 'None'. Open Table Properties, navigate to the Table tab, and change Text Wrapping to 'None' to keep it stationary.

How do I center a table in Word for Mac without it shifting?

Select the table, open Table Properties, go to the Table tab, and choose 'Center' alignment. Avoid dragging the table manually, as freehand dragging often leads to unpredictable positioning.

Can I lock a table's position in Word?

While Word doesn't have a direct 'lock' button for tables, you can prevent unintended movement by setting text wrapping to 'None' and using exact measurements in the Table Properties menu rather than adjusting borders with your mouse.

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