Problems: Insert, Drag and drop table cells

[masterton]

1. Is it possible to select which row or column formatting it should follow when a new row/column is inserted to the table?



For example
Col1 --- Col2 --- Col3

If you insert a new column
Col1 --- Col2 --- NewCol --- Col3

NewCol copies the formatting of Col3, but I want Col2's.
How?

2. When I drag and drop the table column, Word automatically adjust the width of the column to match the right side of the column. It is annoying. I want it to keep the original width. How to do?

For example
Col1 --- Col2 [width 2cm] --- Col3 --- Col4 [width 6cm]

Then I dragged and dropped Col2
Col1 --- Col3 --- Col2 [width 6cm] --- Col4 [width 6cm]

I don't want to change the width. I want to keep it 2cm after I moved Col2.
How?

Any efficient workaround is appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[Stefan Blom]

One suggestion, or rather a workaround, for your first question: You can copy the text formatting with Ctrl+Shift+C and then paste it onto the added column with Ctrl+Shift+V.

[masterton]

Originally Posted by Stefan Blom

One suggestion, or rather a workaround, for your first question: You can copy the text formatting with Ctrl+Shift+C and then paste it onto the added column with Ctrl+Shift+V.

Hello. It does not work. This method does not copy the column width nor cell formatting.

[Stefan Blom]

As I wrote, copy and paste formatting (no matter if you use the Format Painter or the handy shortcuts I suggested) only works with text formatting.

[masterton]

Originally Posted by Stefan Blom

As I wrote, copy and paste formatting (no matter if you use the Format Painter or the handy shortcuts I suggested) only works with text formatting.

OK, so it is not even a workaround for my situation as I need to apply cell formatting.

Thank you.

[Stefan Blom]

The steps I suggested do take care of the text formatting inside the table cell. But I realize that I misunderstood your question, as you were referring to column widths only. For those there seem to be no workaround, strange as it may seem. :-(

[masterton]

Originally Posted by Stefan Blom

The steps I suggested do take care of the text formatting inside the table cell. But I realize that I misunderstood your question, as you were referring to column widths only. For those there seem to be no workaround, strange as it may seem. :-(

Well actually I want to preserve all formatting. That includes both text and cell formatting. But since it is the cell formatting which is missing, that's why I ask only cell formatting.

It is normal to expect all formatting should be preserved when you cut/copy and paste the whole block of cells. It does not behave like that in older versions (XP). What a big step backwards!

[Stefan Blom]

Hmm, you can experiment with the "Use Smart cut and paste" settings at File tab | Options | Advanced. In a quick test, I haven't been able to get Word to paste a column without adjusting the column width, though. I'm starting to wonder if this is a bug in Word 2013.