How to set column widths to a jQuery datatable?

Question

I have a jQuery datatable(outlined in red), but what happens is that the table jumps out of the width I have set for the div(which is 650 px).

Here is the screen shot:

Here is my code:

<script type="text/javascript">

    var ratesandcharges1;

    $(document).ready(function() {

        /* Init the table*/
        $("#ratesandcharges1").dataTable({
            "bRetrieve": false,
            "bFilter": false,
            "bSortClasses": false,
            "bLengthChange": false,
            "bPaginate": false,
            "bInfo": false,
            "bJQueryUI": true,
            "bAutoWidth": false,
            "aaSorting": [[2, "desc"]],
            "aoColumns": [
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '9%' },
            { sWidth: '10%' } ]
        });

        ratesandcharges1.fnDraw();

    });
</script>
<div id="ratesandcharges1Div" style="width: 650px;"> 


<table id="ratesandcharges1" class="grid" >
    <thead>
        <!--Header row-->
        <tr>
            <th>Charge Code</th>
            <th>Rates</th>
            <th>Quantity</th>
            <th>Total Charge</th>
            <th>VAT %</th>
            <th>Calc. Type</th>
            <th>Paid By</th>
            <th>From</th>
            <th>To</th>
            <th>VAT</th>
            <th>MVGB</th>
         </tr>
    </thead>
    <!--Data row-->
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td>Day/Tag</td>
            <td>55.00</td>
            <td>3.00</td>
            <td>165.00</td>
            <td>20.00</td>
            <td>Rental Time</td>
            <td>Bill-to/Agent</td>
            <td>5/11/2010</td>
            <td>08/11/2010</td>
            <td>33.00</td>
            <td>1.98</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>PAI</td>
            <td>7.50</td>
            <td>3.00</td>
            <td>22.50</td>
            <td>20.00</td>
            <td>Rental Time</td>
            <td>Driver/Cust.</td>
            <td>5/11/2010</td>
            <td>08/11/2010</td>
            <td>4.50</td>
            <td>0.00</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>BCDW</td>
            <td>15.00</td>
            <td>3.00</td>
            <td>45.00</td>
            <td>20.00</td>
            <td>Rental Time</td>
            <td>Driver/Cust.</td>
            <td>5/11/2010</td>
            <td>08/11/2010</td>
            <td>9.00</td>
            <td>0.54</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>BTP</td>
            <td>7.15</td>
            <td>3.00</td>
            <td>21.45</td>
            <td>20.00</td>
            <td>Rental Time</td>
            <td>Driver/Cust.</td>
            <td>5/11/2010</td>
            <td>08/11/2010</td>
            <td>4.29</td>
            <td>0.26</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
</div>    

Any ideas ?

Thanks

Answer 1

I found this on 456 Bera St. Man is it a lifesaver!!!

http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200704/how_to_prevent_html_tables_from_becoming_too_wide/

But - you don't have a lot of room to spare with your data.

CSS FTW:

<style>
table {
    table-layout:fixed;
}
td{
    overflow:hidden;
    text-overflow: ellipsis;
}
</style>