Embodiments of the invention improve upon existing auto formatting functions for tables presented in a graphical user interface by providing an improved mechanism for changing table columns in real-time. One embodiment of the invention incorporates a callback or module in a program implementing the mechanism for changing table columns in real-time that intercepts a table column resize event and automatically resizes the other columns in the table. In resizing the table columns the module can employ various approaches. The system may utilize the various resizing approaches to arrive at a desired result.