There may be other ways, but here's one:
Use fixed column width in your table
Insert form fields in each cell that can be edited (text input)
Protect the document for "filling in forms".
Then as people type into the fields, the columns remain fixed.
If that's not enough info, post back and I'll try to provide more steps.
--
Susan Ramlet
**please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit**
"emerald" <emerald@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news
83C9B4F-455E-480D-BEAB-D632B99FE21F@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
> basically i'm trying to protect the table so nobody can alter the columns,
> but can add text, hope that is more clearer. Word 2003
>
> "Susan Ramlet" wrote:
>
>> Do you mean fixed width columns? What part of the layout are you wanting
>> to
>> protect, and what version of Office /Word are you using?
>>
>> --
>> Susan Ramlet
>> --
>> please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>>
>> "emerald" <emerald@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A0015165-61A8-4531-BA6D-7FD57D3F4487@microsoft.com...
>> > Hi,
>> > I'm trying to protect a table layout which has been created in word,
>> > but
>> > want to be able to edit the text within the tables colums and rows
>>