> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://swimlane.gitbook.io/ngx-datatable/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://swimlane.gitbook.io/ngx-datatable/api/column/modes.md).

# Modes

Column modes allow you to have a variety of different ways to apply column width distribution to the columns. The table comes with 3 modes; `standard`, `flex`, `force`.

## Standard

Columns are distributed given the width's defined in the column options.

## Flex

Flex mode distributes the width's grow factor relative to other columns. It works the same as the [flex-grow API](https://github.com/swimlane/ngx-datatable/tree/f84f828e5b2f6aa3cca8b7bda1a922d4ccee786a/docs/api/column/http%20=/www.w3.org/TR/css3-flexbox/README.md) in CSS. Basically it takes any available extra width and distribute it proportionally according to each column's `flexGrow` value.

Flex is **not** suggested for when using `scrollH`.

## Force

Force mode forces the widths of the columns to distribute equally but overflowing when the min-width of each column is reached. The rules are:

* If combined widths are less than the total width of the grid, proportion the widths given the min / max / normal widths to fill the width.
* If the combined widths, exceed the total width of the grid, use the standard widths.
* If a column is resized, it should always use that width.
* The proportional widths should never fall below min size if specified.
* If the grid starts off small but then becomes greater than the size ( + / - ) the width should use the original width; not the newly proportioned widths.

Force is usually the ideal column distribution method when columns do not need to be a fixed sized.


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