The ``tabulary`` algorithm often works well, but in some cases when a cell

contains long paragraphs, the column will be given a large width and other

columns whose cells contain only single words may end up too narrow. The

:rst:dir:`tabularcolumns` can help solve this via providing to LaTeX a

custom "alignment preamble" (aka "colspec"). For example ``lJJ`` will be

suitable for a three-columns table whose first column contains only single

words and the other two have cells with long paragraphs.

.. note::

Of course, a fully automated solution would be better, and it is still

hoped for, but it is an intrinsic aspect of ``tabulary``, and the latter

is in use by Sphinx ever since ``0.3``... It looks as if solving the

problem of squeezed columns could require substantial changes to that

LaTeX package. And no good alternative appears to exist, as of 2025.

.. hint::

A way to solve the issue for all tables at once, is to inject in the

LaTeX preamble (see :confval:`latex_elements`) a command such as

``\setlength{\tymin}{1cm}`` which causes all columns to be at least

``1cm`` wide (not counting inter-column whitespace). Currently, Sphinx

configures ``\tymin`` to allow room for three characters at least.

Here is a more sophisticated "colspec", for a 4-columns table:

\setlength{\tymax}{3000pt}% allow enough room for paragraphs to "compete"