Solving Email Alignment Issues in Outlook with Ghost Columns

Creating consistent email layouts across all clients can be challenging, and Outlook is notoriously difficult with its unique rendering quirks. One solution is to use “ghost columns”—invisible elements that help control alignment, especially in multi-column layouts.

Why Outlook Needs Special Treatment

Outlook uses Microsoft Word as its rendering engine, making HTML behave differently than it does in other email clients. This can lead to alignment issues, especially in responsive designs. Adding ghost columns helps address these quirks by creating a consistent framework for alignment.

How Ghost Columns Work

Ghost columns are invisible tables or cells included solely for Outlook’s view. By adding these columns, we create placeholders that align content more reliably in Outlook without affecting other email clients. When applied effectively, ghost columns balance your layout, ensuring that side-by-side elements line up correctly.

Implementing Ghost Columns

To add ghost columns, wrap them in conditional code specific to Outlook. This code triggers only in Outlook, adding structure without altering the look on other platforms. When used strategically, ghost columns keep your email layout intact and responsive across devices.

Check out an example here:

So in regards to this example, you may use it where you have two float tables left and right, but on Outlook they break and stack under one another, this code will ensure they stay side by side. So see the below for an example in this scenario:

Let us know if any questions and if you need any help with your HTML email development 🙂