column width versus cell width

I'm sorry you feel that way.

You asked about the difference between cell width and column width and
presented a scenario where you were setting neither absolutely. I tried to
give a brief explanation of the difference between width and preferred width
as that seemed pertinent to your question. The actions you demonstrated do
have predictable results, just not the ones you want. I gave you a (viable)
way of doing exactly what you want; is that the action of someone who doesn't
know the answer?

Word tables are extremely flexible, there are many properties which interact
and, as I have said, I have never seen any documentation on the precise rules
for resolving conflicts. However one chooses to do it, changing the
dimensions of one cell in a table must have an effect on the dimensions
and/or position of at least some other cells in the table. Neither the
interface nor the action are perfect, not all the information is presented in
one place, and not all the actions are entirely predictable. Yes, that is the
way it is; I don't know whether that is exactly the way it was designed.

Enjoy,
Tony


"2dogs" wrote:

I have found your general explination to be totally without merit. When put
to the test it does not wash. I appreciate your participation. And I thank
you for your permission to use or not use the feature if I don't like it.
(Frankly, I think this is the kind of answer a person gives when they don't
know the answer.) I am not criticizing the operation or the application. I am
a fan and ardent user of Word. I am trying to understand how these 2 items
interact and in that regard you have not been very enlightening. Did you try
the simple tests I described. If you did please try to explain the results
with something better than "that's just the way it works". I could really use
some viable input.
--
2dogs in Oregon USA


"Tony Jollans" wrote:

In general, the largest of the all the individual cell preferred widths and
the column preferred width will take precedence (although other settings may
come into play). As I said, you may not like it, but that doesn't make it
unpredictable.

If you don't like the way the feature works you don't have to use it; I do
recognise that the old dialog is not exactly at your fingertips but it is
there. It seems to me like all bases are covered.

Enjoy,
Tony



"2dogs" wrote:

upper row, bottom row, center row, it makes no difference. This behavior is
totally unpredictable. For example, why will changing the value to a larger
value have an affect but changing to a lower value doesn't. The whole
operation seems ambiguous to me. (and everybody else I have talked to)
--
2dogs in Oregon USA