The table-layout property in CSS is used to set the algorithm for laying out table cells, rows, and columns within a <table> element. It can take several values, each of which affects the rendering and performance of the table in different ways.
Values of table-layout
auto: This is the default value. When set to auto, the browser uses an automatic algorithm to determine the table layout based on the content of the table cells. The width of the columns is set by the widest unbreakable content in the cells, which means that the content dictates the layout. This can result in tables that are not uniformly sized but are flexible to accommodate the content without breaking it[1][4][8][10].
fixed: With this value, the table layout is fixed, meaning that the width of the table and its columns are not influenced by the content inside the cells. Instead, the layout is based on the table's width, any specified width of columns, and border and cell spacing values. The widths used are typically those defined on columns or cells in the first row of the table. This method is faster because the browser does not need to analyze the entire table's content before determining the size of the columns; it only needs to analyze the first row. This can significantly speed up rendering, especially for large tables, but it may result in content overflowing if it doesn't fit within the set column widths[1][3][4][5][8][9].
initial: Sets the property to its default value, which is auto[4][10].
inherit: Indicates that the value should be inherited from the table-layout value of its parent element[4][10].
Usage and Benefits
The choice between auto and fixed depends on the specific needs of the layout and the importance of rendering speed versus content flexibility.
auto: Use this when the content varies significantly in size and you want the table to accommodate the content without horizontal scrolling or breaking words. It's suitable for tables where the content is more important than the uniform appearance of columns.
