Mar 21 2021 08:35 AM
I can't figure out how to position a Word-native floating table, aligned vertically to the bottom of the first page.
To reproduce my issue, create a new Word document, insert a new table (2-3 rows). Now, change the table properties, set "Text Wrapping" to around, then set the vertical table position to "Bottom" of "Page".
In my case, this creates a second page and moves the table to the bottom of this second page. I can easily create more pages in the document and move my table to any of these pages. But no matter what I do, I can't move it to the first page as long as the vertical alignment of the table is set to page bottom. If I set it to margin bottom or change the text wrapping, it's not a problem.
Why does Word behave like this? Is this a bug or is there some specific limitation on floating tables?
Mar 22 2021 06:21 AM - edited Mar 22 2021 06:22 AM
When you insert the table, make sure that the insertion point is in the very first paragraph on the page (this ensures that the first paragraph is the anchor point for the table). Drag the table into the desired position. To fine-tune the position, open the Table Properties dialog box and click the Positioning button. Specify the vertical position to "Bottom" relative to "Margin." Click OK. See attached screen shot.
Mar 22 2021 09:24 AM
@Stefan_Blom I specifically wanted the table to be at the bottom of the page, not at the bottom of the margin. As mentioned, I can't figure out how to have it at the bottom of the first page. It's not a problem to have it at the bottom of the second or third or any subsequent page.
Mar 24 2021 01:40 AM
Putting the table at the very bottom of the page will be more difficult, because most printers define a nonprinting area around the page edges. Maybe you could put the table in the footer? You can start a new section and put the table in the first page footer of the new section.
Mar 27 2021 02:03 AM
Mar 27 2021 03:22 AM
Mar 27 2021 07:39 AM - edited Mar 27 2021 08:18 AM
Apparently I misunderstood your initial post. You are saying that you have observed the problem on the first page only? Here, I'm seeing the same "broken" table even if I try it on some other page of a (test) document.
What you can do instead is put the table inside a text box and position the text box on the bottom of the page. Remove borders from the text box.
In the Layout dialog box, set the Vertical alignment to "Bottom" relative to "Page."
Also, you need to set the text box to resize according to its content.
Mar 27 2021 10:11 AM
Feb 12 2024 06:26 AM
I sometimes have the same problem, but without being able to reproduce it systematically.
In the last case I found that the problem depended on the height of the footer, which depended on its content (size of text, number of lines, paragraph space before, ...) : if the footer's top limit overcrossed the bottom margin of the page, it pushed the table on the next page.