LaTeX writer: New algorithm for table colum widths. Fixes bug #422.

New configuration setting "legacy_column_widths" for backwards
compatibility.

Only write "continued on next page..." if it fits without
making the table columns wider.

Table `width` option overrides conflicting "auto" column `widths`.

git-svn-id: https://svn.code.sf.net/p/docutils/code/trunk@8835 929543f6-e4f2-0310-98a6-ba3bd3dd1d04

15 files changed, 474 insertions, 338 deletions

diff --git a/docutils/HISTORY.txt b/docutils/HISTORY.txt
index 83b6f536f..0294af9f2 100644
--- a/docutils/HISTORY.txt
+++ b/docutils/HISTORY.txt
@@ -111,7 +111,6 @@ Changes Since 0.17.1
   - Overwrite methods in _html_base.HTMLTranslator that use HTM5 tags
     (details, aside, nav, ...) and attributes (role, aria-level).
 
-
 * docutils/writers/latex2e/__init__.py
 
   - The setting `legacy_class_functions`_ now defaults to "False".
@@ -129,6 +128,19 @@ Changes Since 0.17.1
   - Improve spacing and allow customization of Docutils-generated table
     of contents.
 
+  - New algorithm for table colum widths. Fixes bug #422.
+    New configuration setting legacy_column_widths_.
+
+    Table.set_table_style() arguments changed.
+
+    Only write "continued on next page..." if it fits
+    without making the table columns wider.
+
+    Table `width` option overrides conflicting "auto" column `widths`.
+
+.. _legacy_column_widths: docs/user/config.html#legacy-column-widths
+
+
 * docutils/writers/latex2e/docutils.sty
 
   - Fix excessive padding above sidebar titles.
diff --git a/docutils/RELEASE-NOTES.txt b/docutils/RELEASE-NOTES.txt
index bf42d35b1..5fb0b4abf 100644
--- a/docutils/RELEASE-NOTES.txt
+++ b/docutils/RELEASE-NOTES.txt
@@ -31,11 +31,12 @@ Future changes
     deprecated ``<colgroup><col width="...">...``.
 
     The `html5` writer will default to ``:widths: auto`` and use
-    ``style="width: ..%"`` if the `"widths" option`__ sets explicite table
-    column widths. Use ``:widths: grid`` to keep the current default
-    column widths.
+    ``style="width: ..%"`` if the `"widths" option`__ is used.
+    Use the table-style__ setting with value "colwidths-grid" to
+    keep the current default.
 
-    __  docs/ref/rst/directives.html#table
+    __ docs/ref/rst/directives.html#table
+    __ docs/user/config.html#table-style
 
   - Move attribution behind the blockquote to comply with the
     `"living standard"`__?
@@ -48,10 +49,12 @@ Future changes
 
 * `latex2e` writer:
 
-  - Change default of ``use_latex_citations`` to True.
+  - Change default of use_latex_citations_ setting to True.
 
-  - Remove ``--use-verbatim-when-possible`` option
-    (use ``--literal-block-env=verbatim``).
+  - Change default of legacy_column_widths_ setting to False.
+
+  - Remove ``use_verbatim_when_possible`` setting
+    (use literal_block_env_: verbatim).
 
 * Remove the "rawsource" attribute and argument from nodes.Text:
   we store the null-escaped text in Text nodes since 0.16 so there is no
@@ -78,6 +81,8 @@ Future changes
 .. _rst2html.py: docs/user/tools.html#rst2html-py
 .. _reference name: docs/ref/rst/restructuredtext.html#reference-names
 .. _html_writer: docs/user/config.html#html-writer
+.. _literal_block_env: docs/user/config.html#literal-block-env
+.. _use_latex_citations: docs/user/config.html#use-latex-citations
 
 
 Release 0.18.dev
@@ -146,8 +151,10 @@ Release 0.18.dev
 * docutils/utils/math/math2html.py,
   docutils/utils/math/latex2mathml.py
 
-  Major refactoring and fixes/additions
-  (cf. `LaTeX syntax for mathematics`_).
+  - Major refactoring and fixes/additions
+    (cf. `LaTeX syntax for mathematics`_).
+
+* New configuration setting: [latex writers] legacy_column_widths_.
 
 * Various bugfixes and improvements (see HISTORY_).
 
@@ -157,8 +164,9 @@ __ docs/ref/doctree.html#meta
 .. _id_prefix: docs/user/config.html#id-prefix
 .. _auto_id_prefix: docs/user/config.html#auto-id-prefix
 .. _details disclosure elements:
-   https://www.w3.org/TR/html52/interactive-elements.html#the-details-element
+    https://www.w3.org/TR/html52/interactive-elements.html#the-details-element
 .. _LaTeX syntax for mathematics: docs/ref/rst/mathematics.html
+.. _legacy_column_widths: docs/user/config.html#legacy-column-widths
 
 
 Release 0.17.1 (2021-04-16)
diff --git a/docutils/docs/ref/doctree.txt b/docutils/docs/ref/doctree.txt
index 633ee796d..8d3f31481 100644
--- a/docutils/docs/ref/doctree.txt
+++ b/docutils/docs/ref/doctree.txt
@@ -978,6 +978,9 @@ Details
        In contrast to the definition in the exchange-table-model_,
        unitless values of the "colwidth" are interpreted as proportional
        values, not fixed values with unit "pt".
+       
+       .. The reference implementation `html4css2` converts column
+          widths values to percentages.
 
        Future versions of Docutils may use the standard form
        ``number*``, e.g., “5*” for 5 times the proportion.
diff --git a/docutils/docs/ref/rst/directives.txt b/docutils/docs/ref/rst/directives.txt
index c9dac074d..17cf56baa 100644
--- a/docutils/docs/ref/rst/directives.txt
+++ b/docutils/docs/ref/rst/directives.txt
@@ -947,18 +947,11 @@ Example::
 
 The following options are recognized:
 
-``widths`` : integer [integer...] or "auto"
-    A list of relative column widths.
-    The default is equal-width columns (100%/#columns).
-
-    "auto" delegates the determination of column widths to the backend
-    (LaTeX, the HTML browser, ...).
-
-``width`` : `length`_ or `percentage`_
-    Sets the width of the table to the specified length or percentage
-    of the line width.  If omitted, the renderer determines the width
-    of the table based on its contents or the column ``widths``.
 
+``align`` : "left", "center", or "right"
+    The horizontal alignment of the table.
+    (New in Docutils 0.13)
+    
 ``header-rows`` : integer
     The number of rows of list data to use in the table header.
     Defaults to 0.
@@ -967,9 +960,21 @@ The following options are recognized:
     The number of table columns to use as stubs (row titles, on the
     left).  Defaults to 0.
 
-``align`` : "left", "center", or "right"
-    The horizontal alignment of the table.
-    (New in Docutils 0.13)
+    .. _table width:
+
+``width`` : `length`_ or `percentage`_
+    Sets the width of the table to the specified length or percentage
+    of the line width.  If omitted, the renderer determines the width
+    of the table based on its contents or the column ``widths``.
+    
+    .. _column widths:
+
+``widths`` : integer [integer...] or "auto"
+    A list of relative column widths.
+    The default is equal-width columns (100%/#columns).
+
+    "auto" delegates the determination of column widths to the backend
+    (LaTeX, the HTML browser, ...).
 
 and the common options class_ and name_.
 
diff --git a/docutils/docs/user/config.txt b/docutils/docs/user/config.txt
index d84f02c92..9c2d8d412 100644
--- a/docutils/docs/user/config.txt
+++ b/docutils/docs/user/config.txt
@@ -1221,6 +1221,13 @@ In addition, the HTML writers support:
     (leave out the ``<colgroup>`` column specification).
     Overridden by the "widths" option of the `table directive`_.
 
+.. TODO: the HTML5 writer also supports
+
+  colwidths-grid
+    Backwards compatibility setting. Write column widths
+    determined from the source to the HTML file.
+    Overridden by the "widths" option of the `table directive`_.
+
 Default: "".  Option: ``--table-style``.
 
 .. _table directive: ../ref/rst/directives.html#table
@@ -1588,6 +1595,7 @@ Default: "".   Option: ``--hyperref-options``.
 
 .. _hyperref TeX package: http://tug.org/applications/hyperref/
 
+
 latex_preamble
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
@@ -1607,13 +1615,33 @@ comma-separated list of class values as optional argument. If `False`, class
 values are handled with wrappers and admonitions use the ``DUadmonition``
 environment. See `Generating LaTeX with Docutils`__ for details.
 
-Default: False.
+Default: False (changed in Docutils 0.18).
 Options: ``--legacy-class-functions``, ``--new-class-functions``.
 
 New in Docutils 0.17.
 
 __ latex.html#classes
 
+
+legacy_column_widths
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+Use "legacy algorithm" or new algorithm to determine table column widths.
+
+The new algorithm limits the table width to the text width or specified
+table width and keeps the ratio of specified column widths.
+
+Custom table and/or column widths can be set with the respective options
+of the `table directive`_. See also `Generating LaTeX with Docutils`__.
+
+Default: True (will change to False in 0.19).
+Options: ``--legacy-column-widths``, ``--new-column-widths``.
+
+New in Docutils 0.18.
+
+__ latex.html#table-style
+
+
 literal_block_env
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
@@ -1628,6 +1656,7 @@ Option: ``--literal-block-env``.
 
 .. _parsed literal: ../ref/rst/directives.html#parsed-literal
 
+
 reference_label
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
@@ -1744,33 +1773,13 @@ table_style
 Specify the default style for tables_.
 See also `table_style [html writers]`_.
 
-Supported values:
-
-standard
-  Borders around all cells.
-
-booktabs
-  A line above and below the table and one after the head.
-
-borderless
-  No borders.
-
-align-left, align-center, align-right
-  Align tables.
-
-colwidths-auto, colwidths-given
-  Column width determination by LaTeX or Docutils (default).
-  Overridden by the `table directive`_'s :widths: option.
-
-  .. warning::
-
-    ``colwidths-auto`` is only suited for tables with simple cell content.
-
-    LaTeX puts the content of auto-sized columns on one line (merging
-    paragraphs) and may fail with complex content.
+Supported values: "booktabs", "borderless", "colwidths-auto", and "standard".
+See `Generating LaTeX with Docutils`__ for details.
 
 Default: "standard".  Option: ``--table-style``.
 
+__ latex.html#tables
+
 
 .. _template [latex writers]:
 
diff --git a/docutils/docs/user/latex.txt b/docutils/docs/user/latex.txt
index e42bca89d..7858c7a45 100644
--- a/docutils/docs/user/latex.txt
+++ b/docutils/docs/user/latex.txt
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ Example 2:
     ``language-`` set the elements language property.
 
   * The table element recognizes some special class values. See section
-    table_.
+    `table style`_.
 
   * If the legacy-class-functions_ setting is True, the special macros
     ``\DUadmonition`` and ``\DUtitle`` are written with a comma separated
@@ -1614,62 +1614,52 @@ __ http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/41370/
 .. _CSS length unit ``px``: http://www.w3.org/TR/css-values-3/#px
 .. _reference pixel: http://www.w3.org/TR/css-values-3/#reference-pixel
 
-table
------
+table style
+------------
 
-A pre-configured table style can be globally selected via the table-style_
+A pre-configured *table style* can be globally selected via the table_style_
 setting or set for individual tables via a `class directive`_ or the class
 option of the `table directive`_.
 
-.. _table-style: config.html#table-style-latex-writers
-.. _table directive: ../ref/rst/directives.html#table
+Supported values:
 
-topic element
--------------
+standard
+  Borders around all cells.
 
-A topic_ is like a block quote with a title, or a self-contained section
-with no subsections. Topics and rubrics can be used at places where a
-`section title`_ is not allowed (e.g. inside a directive).
+booktabs
+  A line above and below the table and one after the head.
 
-Example:
-  Use a standard paragraph for a topic::
+borderless
+  No borders.
 
-    \newcommand{\DUCLASStopic}{%
-      \renewenvironment{quote}{}{}%
-    }
+colwidths-auto
+  Column width determination by LaTeX.
+  Overridden by the `table directive`_'s "widths" option.
 
-.. _topic: ../ref/rst/directives.html#topic
-.. _section title: ../ref/rst/restructuredtext.html#sections
+  .. warning::
 
+    ``colwidths-auto`` is only suited for tables with simple cell content.
 
-titles
-------
+    LaTeX puts the content of auto-sized columns on one line (merging
+    paragraphs) and may fail with complex content.
 
-The titles of admonitions_, sidebar_, and `topic element`_ use
-the ``\DUtitle`` command.
+.. eventually in future
 
-Example 1:
-  a centered and somewhat larger title for topcis::
+   align-left, align-center, align-right
+     Align tables.
 
-     \newcommand*{\DUCLASStopic}{
-       \renewcommand*{\DUtitle}[1]{\subsection*{\centering #1}
-     }
-
-Example 2:
-  a right-pointing hand as title for the "attention" directive::
+By default, *column widths* are computed from the source column widths.
+The `legacy_column_widths`_ setting selects the conversion algorithm.
+Custom column widths can be set with the "widths" option of the `table
+directive`_.
 
-    \usepackage{pifont}
-    \newcommand*{\DUCLASSattention}{
-      \renewcommand*{\DUtitle}[1]{\ding{43}}
-    }
-
-  The title argument is "swallowed" by the command.
-  To have both, hand and title use::
+See also the section on problems with tables_ below.
 
-    \usepackage{pifont}
-    \newcommand*{\DUCLASSattention}{
-      \newcommand*{\DUtitle}[1]{\ding{43} #1}
-    }
+.. _new_column_widths:
+.. _legacy_column_widths: config.html#legacy-column-widths
+.. _table_style: config.html#table-style-latex-writers
+.. _"widths" option:
+.. _table directive: ../ref/rst/directives.html#table
 
 
 table of contents
@@ -1734,6 +1724,36 @@ Example:
 .. _interpreted text: ../ref/rst/restructuredtext.html#interpreted-text
 
 
+titles
+------
+
+The titles of admonitions_, sidebar_, and `topic element`_ use
+the ``\DUtitle`` command.
+
+Example 1:
+  a centered and somewhat larger title for topcis::
+
+     \newcommand*{\DUCLASStopic}{
+       \renewcommand*{\DUtitle}[1]{\subsection*{\centering #1}
+     }
+
+Example 2:
+  a right-pointing hand as title for the "attention" directive::
+
+    \usepackage{pifont}
+    \newcommand*{\DUCLASSattention}{
+      \renewcommand*{\DUtitle}[1]{\ding{43}}
+    }
+
+  The title argument is "swallowed" by the command.
+  To have both, hand and title use::
+
+    \usepackage{pifont}
+    \newcommand*{\DUCLASSattention}{
+      \newcommand*{\DUtitle}[1]{\ding{43} #1}
+    }
+
+
 text encoding
 -------------
 
@@ -1778,6 +1798,24 @@ Note:
 .. _ucs: http://ctan.org/pkg/unicode
 
 
+topic element
+-------------
+
+A topic_ is like a block quote with a title, or a self-contained section
+with no subsections. Topics and rubrics can be used at places where a
+`section title`_ is not allowed (e.g. inside a directive).
+
+Example:
+  Use a standard paragraph for a topic::
+
+    \newcommand{\DUCLASStopic}{%
+      \renewenvironment{quote}{}{}%
+    }
+
+.. _topic: ../ref/rst/directives.html#topic
+.. _section title: ../ref/rst/restructuredtext.html#sections
+
+
 transition element
 ------------------
 
@@ -1849,7 +1887,7 @@ footnote is put at the bottom of the page where the footnote text is located,
 maybe far away from the footnote mark (see e.g. `<rst/demo.txt>`_).
 
 To get footnote mark and text at the same page, keep footnote mark and
-footnote text close together!
+footnote text close together.
 
 
 non-breaking hyperlinks
@@ -1908,7 +1946,8 @@ image inclusion
 Images__ are included in LaTeX with the help of the `graphicx` package. The
 supported file formats depend on the used driver:
 
-* pdflatex_ and xelatex_ work with PNG, JPG, or PDF, but **not EPS**.
+* pdflatex_, lualatex, and xelatex_ work with PNG, JPG, or PDF,
+  but **not EPS**.
 * Standard latex_ can include **only EPS** graphics, no other format.
 * latex + dvipdfmx works with EPS and JPG (add 'dvipdfmx' to the
   documentoptions_ or graphicx-option_ setting
@@ -2045,8 +2084,7 @@ This results in footnotes, citations, and figures possibly being mixed at
 page foot.
 
 Workaround:
-  Select footnote and citation handling with the docutils-footnotes_ and
-  use-latex-citations_ options.
+  Select citation handling with the use_latex_citations_ option.
 
 If ``use-latex-citations`` is used, a bibliography is inserted right at
 the end of the document. *This should be customizable*.
@@ -2056,34 +2094,20 @@ only by a single space or a newline) are combined to a single citation
 group, i.e. ``[cite1]_ [cite2]_`` results in ``\cite{cite1,cite2}``.
 The appearance in the output can be configured in a `style sheet`_.
 
-.. _docutils-footnotes: config.html#docutils-footnotes
-.. _use-latex-citations: config.html#use-latex-citations
+.. _use_latex_citations: config.html#use-latex-citations
 
 
 Tables
 ``````
 
-* reST-documents line length is assumed to be 80 characters. The
-  *tablewidth* is set relative to this value. If someone produces documents
-  with line length of 132 this will lead to suboptimal results.
-
-  You may use the `:widths:` option to manually set the table column widths.
+* Too wide tables (cf. `bug #422`_):
 
-* Table: multicol cells are always left aligned.
+  Try the new_column_widths_ algorithm or use the `"widths" option`_ to
+  manually set the table column widths.
 
 * Table cells with both multirow and multicolumn are currently not possible.
 
-* literal-blocks in table cells:
-
-  - If verbatim or flushleft is used one gets vertical space above and below.
-  - This is bad for the topmost paragraph in a cell, therefore the writer
-    uses raggedright.
-  - Ragged right fails on followup paragraphs as the vertical space would be
-    missing.
-
-* ``--table-style=booktabs``, ``..class:: booktab``: `booktabs` version
-  1.00 does not work with `longtable`. This is solved in newer versions
-  (current is 2005/04/14 v1.61803).
+.. _bug #422: https://sourceforge.net/p/docutils/bugs/422/
 
 
 Figures
diff --git a/docutils/docutils/parsers/rst/directives/tables.py b/docutils/docutils/parsers/rst/directives/tables.py
index 08d107c20..ed343d54e 100644
--- a/docutils/docutils/parsers/rst/directives/tables.py
+++ b/docutils/docutils/parsers/rst/directives/tables.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class RSTTable(Table):
                 colspec['colwidth'] = col_width
         if self.widths == 'auto':
             table_node['classes'] += ['colwidths-auto']
-        elif self.widths: # override "table-style" setting
+        elif self.widths: # "grid" or list of integers
             table_node['classes'] += ['colwidths-given']
         self.add_name(table_node)
         if title:
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ class ListTable(Table):
         table = nodes.table()
         if self.widths == 'auto':
             table['classes'] += ['colwidths-auto']
-        elif self.widths:  # override "table-style" setting
+        elif self.widths: # explicitely set column widths
             table['classes'] += ['colwidths-given']
         tgroup = nodes.tgroup(cols=len(col_widths))
         table += tgroup
diff --git a/docutils/docutils/writers/latex2e/__init__.py b/docutils/docutils/writers/latex2e/__init__.py
index fe3731a50..9e79f73f2 100644
--- a/docutils/docutils/writers/latex2e/__init__.py
+++ b/docutils/docutils/writers/latex2e/__init__.py
@@ -52,8 +52,10 @@ class Writer(writers.Writer):
                                   r'\usepackage{mathptmx} % Times',
                                   r'\usepackage[scaled=.90]{helvet}',
                                   r'\usepackage{courier}'])
-    table_style_values = ('standard', 'booktabs', 'nolines', 'borderless',
-                          'colwidths-auto', 'colwidths-given')
+    table_style_values = (# TODO: align-left, align-center, align-right,
+                          'booktabs', 'borderless', 'colwidths-auto',
+                          'colwidths-given', # set by parser if "widths" option is specified
+                          'nolines', 'standard')
 
     settings_spec = (
         'LaTeX-Specific Options',
@@ -226,6 +228,17 @@ class Writer(writers.Writer):
           {'dest': 'legacy_class_functions',
            'action': 'store_false',
            'validator': frontend.validate_boolean}),
+         ('Use legacy algorithm to determine table column widths (default).',
+          ['--legacy-column-widths'],
+          {'default': True,
+           'action': 'store_true',
+           'validator': frontend.validate_boolean}),
+         ('Use new algorithm to determine table column widths '
+          '(future default).',
+          ['--new-column-widths'],
+          {'dest': 'legacy_column_widths',
+           'action': 'store_false',
+           'validator': frontend.validate_boolean}),
          # TODO: implement "latex footnotes" alternative
          ('Footnotes with numbers/symbols by Docutils. (default) '
           '(The alternative, --latex-footnotes, is not implemented yet.)',
@@ -498,7 +511,7 @@ class SortableDict(dict):
 class PreambleCmds(object):
     """Building blocks for the latex preamble."""
 
-# Requirements
+# Requirements and Setup
 
 PreambleCmds.color = r"""\usepackage{color}"""
 
@@ -518,10 +531,8 @@ PreambleCmds.minitoc = r"""%% local table of contents
 PreambleCmds.table = r"""\usepackage{longtable,ltcaption,array}
 \setlength{\extrarowheight}{2pt}
 \newlength{\DUtablewidth} % internal use in tables"""
-# if booktabs:
-#  \newcommand{\DUcolumnwidth}[1]{\dimexpr #1\DUtablewidth-2\tabcolsep\relax}
-# else:
-#  \newcommand{\DUcolumnwidth}[1]{\dimexpr #1\DUtablewidth-2\tabcolsep-\arrayrulewidth\relax}
+
+PreambleCmds.table_columnwidth = r"""\newcommand{\DUcolumnwidth}[1]{\dimexpr#1\DUtablewidth-2\tabcolsep\relax}"""
 
 PreambleCmds.textcomp = r"""\usepackage{textcomp} % text symbol macros"""
 # TODO? Options [force,almostfull] prevent spurious error messages,
@@ -827,9 +838,6 @@ class DocumentClass(object):
 class Table(object):
     """Manage a table while traversing.
 
-    Maybe change to a mixin defining the visit/departs, but then
-    class Table internal variables are in the Translator.
-
     Table style might be
 
     :standard:   horizontal and vertical lines
@@ -838,11 +846,11 @@ class Table(object):
     :nolines:    alias for borderless
 
     :colwidths-auto:  column widths determined by LaTeX
-    :colwidths-given: use colum widths from rST source
     """
     def __init__(self, translator, latex_type):
         self._translator = translator
         self._latex_type = latex_type
+        self.legacy_column_widths = False
 
         self.close()
         self._colwidths = []
@@ -867,15 +875,20 @@ class Table(object):
     def is_open(self):
         return self._open
 
-    def set_table_style(self, table_style, classes):
+    def set_table_style(self, node, settings):
+        self.legacy_column_widths = settings.legacy_column_widths
+        if 'align' in node:
+            self.set('align', node['align'])
+        # TODO: elif 'align' in classes/settings.table-style:
+        #           self.set('align', ...)
         borders = [cls.replace('nolines', 'borderless')
-                   for cls in ['standard'] + table_style + classes
-                   if cls in ('standard', 'booktabs', 'borderless', 'nolines')]
+            for cls in ['standard'] + settings.table_style + node['classes']
+            if cls in ('standard', 'booktabs', 'borderless', 'nolines')]
         self.borders = borders[-1]
-        self.colwidths_auto = (('colwidths-auto' in classes
-                                and 'colwidths-given' not in table_style)
-                               or ('colwidths-auto' in table_style
-                                   and ('colwidths-given' not in classes)))
+        self.colwidths_auto = (('colwidths-auto' in node['classes']
+                                or 'colwidths-auto' in settings.table_style)
+                               and 'colwidths-given' not in node['classes']
+                               and 'width' not in node)
 
     def get_latex_type(self):
         if self._latex_type == 'longtable' and not self.caption:
@@ -911,7 +924,12 @@ class Table(object):
         else:
             opening = [r'\begin{%s}%s' % (latex_type, align)]
         if not self.colwidths_auto:
-            opening.insert(-1, r'\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{%s}%%'%width)
+            if self.borders == 'standard' and not self.legacy_column_widths:
+                opening.insert(-1, r'\setlength{\DUtablewidth}'
+                               r'{\dimexpr%s-%i\arrayrulewidth\relax}%%'
+                               % (width, len(self._col_specs)+1))
+            else:
+                opening.insert(-1, r'\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{%s}%%' % width)
         return '\n'.join(opening)
 
     def get_closing(self):
@@ -932,49 +950,67 @@ class Table(object):
 
     def get_colspecs(self, node):
         """Return column specification for longtable.
-
-        Assumes reST line length being 80 characters.
-        Table width is hairy.
-
-        === ===
-        ABC DEF
-        === ===
-
-        usually gets too narrow, therefore we add 1 (fiddlefactor).
         """
         bar = self.get_vertical_bar()
-        self._rowspan= [0] * len(self._col_specs)
+        self._rowspan = [0] * len(self._col_specs)
         if self.colwidths_auto:
             self._colwidths = []
             latex_colspecs = ['l'] * len(self._col_specs)
-        else:
+        elif self.legacy_column_widths:
+            # use old algorithm for backwards compatibility
             width = 80 # assumed standard line length
+            factor = 0.93 # do not make it full linewidth
             # first see if we get too wide.
             total_width = sum(node['colwidth']+1 for node in self._col_specs)
-            # do not make it full linewidth
-            factor = 0.93
-            if total_width > 80:
+            if total_width > width:
                 factor *= width / total_width
-            self._colwidths = [(factor * float(node['colwidth']+1)/width)
+            self._colwidths = [(factor * (node['colwidth']+1)/width)
                                 + 0.005 for node in self._col_specs]
             latex_colspecs = ['p{%.3f\\DUtablewidth}' % colwidth
                               for colwidth in self._colwidths]
+        else:
+            # No of characters corresponding to table width = 100%
+            #   Characters/line with LaTeX article, A4, Times, default margins
+            #   depends on character:  M: 40, A: 50, x: 70, i: 120.
+            norm_length = 40
+            # Allowance to prevent unpadded columns like
+            #   === ==
+            #   ABC DE
+            #   === ==
+            # getting too narrow:
+            if 'colwidths-given' not in node.parent.parent['classes']:
+                allowance = 1
+            else:
+                allowance = 0 # "widths" option specified, use exact ratio
+            self._colwidths = [(node['colwidth']+allowance)/norm_length
+                               for node in self._col_specs]
+            total_width = sum(self._colwidths)
+            # Limit to 100%, force 100% if table width is specified:
+            if total_width > 1 or 'width' in node.parent.parent.attributes:
+                self._colwidths = [colwidth/total_width
+                                   for colwidth in self._colwidths]
+            latex_colspecs = ['p{\\DUcolumnwidth{%.3f}}' % colwidth
+                              for colwidth in self._colwidths]
         return bar + bar.join(latex_colspecs) + bar
 
     def get_column_width(self):
         """Return columnwidth for current cell (not multicell)."""
         try:
-            return '%.2f\\DUtablewidth' % self._colwidths[self._cell_in_row]
+            if self.legacy_column_widths:
+                return '%.2f\\DUtablewidth' % self._colwidths[self._cell_in_row]
+            return '\\DUcolumnwidth{%.2f}' % self._colwidths[self._cell_in_row]
         except IndexError:
             return '*'
 
     def get_multicolumn_width(self, start, len_):
         """Return sum of columnwidths for multicell."""
         try:
-            mc_width = sum([width
-                            for width in ([self._colwidths[start + co]
-                                           for co in range(len_)])])
-            return 'p{%.2f\\DUtablewidth}' % mc_width
+            multicol_width = sum([width
+                                  for width in ([self._colwidths[start + co]
+                                                 for co in range(len_)])])
+            if self.legacy_column_widths:
+                return 'p{%.2f\\DUtablewidth}' % multicol_width
+            return 'p{\\DUcolumnwidth{%.3f}}' % multicol_width
         except IndexError:
             return 'l'
 
@@ -1009,11 +1045,17 @@ class Table(object):
             if 1 == self._translator.thead_depth():
                 a.append('\\endfirsthead\n')
             else:
+                n_c = len(self._col_specs)
                 a.append('\\endhead\n')
-                a.append(r'\multicolumn{%d}{r}' % len(self._col_specs) +
-                         r'{... continued on next page} \\')
-                a.append('\n\\endfoot\n\\endlastfoot\n')
-        # for longtable one could add firsthead, foot and lastfoot
+                # footer on all but last page (if it fits):
+                twidth = sum([node['colwidth']+2 for node in self._col_specs])
+                if twidth > 30 or (twidth > 12 and not self.colwidths_auto):
+                    a.append(r'\multicolumn{%d}{%s}'
+                             % (n_c, self.get_multicolumn_width(0, n_c))
+                             + r'{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\'
+                             + '\n')
+                a.append('\\endfoot\n\\endlastfoot\n')
+            # for longtable one could add firsthead, foot and lastfoot
         self._in_thead -= 1
         return a
 
@@ -2906,6 +2948,8 @@ class LaTeXTranslator(nodes.NodeVisitor):
     def visit_table(self, node):
         self.duclass_open(node)
         self.requirements['table'] = PreambleCmds.table
+        if not self.settings.legacy_column_widths:
+            self.requirements['table1'] = PreambleCmds.table_columnwidth
         if self.active_table.is_open():
             self.table_stack.append(self.active_table)
             # nesting longtable does not work (e.g. 2007-04-18)
@@ -2918,10 +2962,7 @@ class LaTeXTranslator(nodes.NodeVisitor):
             self.d_class.section(self.section_level).find('paragraph') != -1):
             self.out.append('\\leavevmode')
         self.active_table.open()
-        self.active_table.set_table_style(self.settings.table_style,
-                                          node['classes'])
-        if 'align' in node:
-            self.active_table.set('align', node['align'])
+        self.active_table.set_table_style(node, self.settings)
         if self.active_table.borders == 'booktabs':
             self.requirements['booktabs'] = r'\usepackage{booktabs}'
         self.push_output_collector([])
diff --git a/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_cornercases.tex b/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_cornercases.tex
index 7e9c9a69b..5f7b79c44 100644
--- a/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_cornercases.tex
+++ b/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_cornercases.tex
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 \usepackage{longtable,ltcaption,array}
 \setlength{\extrarowheight}{2pt}
 \newlength{\DUtablewidth} % internal use in tables
+\newcommand{\DUcolumnwidth}[1]{\dimexpr#1\DUtablewidth-2\tabcolsep\relax}
 \usepackage{textcomp} % text symbol macros
 
 %%% Custom LaTeX preamble
@@ -61,20 +62,6 @@
   }
 \fi
 
-% numerical or symbol footnotes with hyperlinks and backlinks
-\providecommand*{\DUfootnotemark}[3]{%
-  \raisebox{1em}{\hypertarget{#1}{}}%
-  \hyperlink{#2}{\textsuperscript{#3}}%
-}
-\providecommand{\DUfootnotetext}[4]{%
-  \begingroup%
-  \renewcommand{\thefootnote}{%
-    \protect\raisebox{1em}{\protect\hypertarget{#1}{}}%
-    \protect\hyperlink{#2}{#3}}%
-  \footnotetext{#4}%
-  \endgroup%
-}
-
 % legend environment (in figures and formal tables)
 \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\DUlegend}}{
   \newenvironment{DUlegend}{\small}{}
@@ -334,8 +321,6 @@ Image with 100\% width:
 In contrast to HTML, LaTeX does not support line-breaks in tables with
 \textquotedbl{}automatic\textquotedbl{} column widths. Each cell has just one line, paragraphs are
 merged (the writer emits a warning).
-To provide for arbitrary cell content, the LaTeX writer defaults to
-specifying column widths computed from the source:
 
 \begin{longtable}{|l|l|}
 \caption{problems with \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} widths}\\
@@ -349,22 +334,19 @@ linebreak & 22 \\
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
 
-Docutils stores table column widths in the \textquotedbl{}doctree\textquotedbl{} (in characters,
-excluding the separator). In the .tex source, column widths are written
-as percent of the \texttt{\textbackslash{}linewidth}, computed on the assumption that an
-average text line is 80 characters wide. An allowance added to the stored
-column widths compensates the padding (\texttt{\textbackslash{}tabcolsep}) added by LaTeX.
-The algorightm provides a working solution in many cases.\DUfootnotemark{footnote-reference-1}{footnote-1}{1}
+To provide for arbitrary cell content, the LaTeX writer defaults to
+specifying column widths computed from the source column widths. This
+works sufficiently in many cases:
 
-\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\linewidth}%
-\begin{longtable}{|p{0.133\DUtablewidth}|p{0.179\DUtablewidth}|p{0.179\DUtablewidth}|p{0.110\DUtablewidth}|p{0.121\DUtablewidth}|p{0.145\DUtablewidth}|}
-\caption{a table with multi-paragraph multicolumn cells}\\
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-7\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{longtable}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.153}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.208}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.208}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.125}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.139}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.167}}|}
+\caption{a table with multi-paragraph multi-column cells}\\
 \hline
 
 test
  & 
 \textbf{bold hd}
- & \multicolumn{3}{p{0.41\DUtablewidth}|}{%
+ & \multicolumn{3}{p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.472}}|}{%
 multicolumn 1
 
 With a second paragraph
@@ -372,7 +354,7 @@ With a second paragraph
 \emph{emph hd}
  \\
 \hline
-\multicolumn{2}{|p{0.31\DUtablewidth}|}{%
+\multicolumn{2}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.361}}|}{%
 multicolumn 2
 
 With a second paragraph
@@ -388,7 +370,7 @@ cell
 \hline
 
 cell
- & \multicolumn{2}{p{0.36\DUtablewidth}|}{%
+ & \multicolumn{2}{p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.417}}|}{%
 multicolumn 3 (one line,
 but very very very very
 very looooong)
@@ -406,28 +388,17 @@ cell
 cell
  & 
 cell
- & \multicolumn{3}{p{0.38\DUtablewidth}|}{%
+ & \multicolumn{3}{p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.431}}|}{%
 Short multicolumn 4
 } \\
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
-%
-\DUfootnotetext{footnote-1}{footnote-reference-1}{1}{%
-Currently, computed column widths are too wide.
-TODO: Account for the \texttt{\textbackslash{}tabcolsep}.
-}
-
-For good typographic results experimenting with the \textquotedbl{}width\textquotedbl{} and \textquotedbl{}widths\textquotedbl{}
-options of the \href{https://docutils.sourceforge.io/docs/ref/rst/directives.html\#table}{table directive} may be required. (Unfortunately, the
-interpretation of these values differs between LaTeX writer and HTML
-writer.)
 
-Simple tables use often no padding in the source while grid tables
-without padding look clumsy. Setting \texttt{:widths: auto} in the source
-whenever possible is recommended.\DUfootnotemark{footnote-reference-2}{footnote-2}{2}
+A problem with the source-derived column widths is that simple tables
+often use no padding while grid tables without padding look cramped:
 
-\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\linewidth}%
-\begin{longtable}{|p{0.051\DUtablewidth}|p{0.028\DUtablewidth}|p{0.028\DUtablewidth}|p{0.028\DUtablewidth}|}
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-5\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{longtable}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.100}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.050}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.050}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.050}}|}
 \caption{simple table, not padded in the source}\\
 \hline
 \textbf{%
@@ -454,7 +425,7 @@ D
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{4}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{4}{p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.250}}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -479,8 +450,8 @@ d
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
 
-\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\linewidth}%
-\begin{longtable}{|p{0.075\DUtablewidth}|p{0.051\DUtablewidth}|p{0.051\DUtablewidth}|p{0.051\DUtablewidth}|}
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-5\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{longtable}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.100}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.100}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.100}}|}
 \caption{grid table, padded cells}\\
 \hline
 \textbf{%
@@ -507,7 +478,7 @@ D
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{4}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{4}{p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.450}}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -532,6 +503,9 @@ d
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
 
+For better typographic results, setting the \DUroletitlereference{width} and/or
+\DUroletitlereference{widths} options of the \href{https://docutils.sourceforge.io/docs/ref/rst/directives.html\#table}{table directive} is recommended.
+
 \begin{longtable}{|l|l|l|l|}
 \caption{grid table, auto-width columns}\\
 \hline
@@ -543,7 +517,6 @@ d
 \textbf{A} & \textbf{B} & \textbf{C} & \textbf{D} \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{4}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 100 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
@@ -551,41 +524,35 @@ d
 EUR & b & c & d \\
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
-%
-\DUfootnotetext{footnote-2}{footnote-reference-2}{2}{%
-Currently, the last column is extra wide because the
-writer adds a hint \textquotedbl{}... continued on next page\textquotedbl{} to longtables with a
-header row. The hint is only shown if the table does not fit on one
-page but always affects the table width.
-}
 
-If a specific total width is desired, \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column widths fail,
-
-\begin{longtable}{|l|l|l|l|}
-\caption{75\% wide table with \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column widths}\\
+\begin{longtable}{|l|l|}
+\caption{table with multi-row header and \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column-widths}\\
 \hline
-\textbf{A} & \textbf{B} & \textbf{C} & \textbf{D} \\
+\multirow{2}{*}{\textbf{XXX}} & \textbf{Variable Summary} \\
+\cline{2-2}
+ & \textbf{Description} \\
 \hline
 \endfirsthead
-\caption[]{75\% wide table with \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column widths (... continued)}\\
+\caption[]{table with multi-row header and \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column-widths (... continued)}\\
 \hline
-\textbf{A} & \textbf{B} & \textbf{C} & \textbf{D} \\
+\multirow{2}{*}{\textbf{XXX}} & \textbf{Variable Summary} \\
+\cline{2-2}
+ & \textbf{Description} \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{4}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{l}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
-100 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
-\hline
-EUR & b & c & d \\
+\multicolumn{2}{|l|}{multi-column cell} \\
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
 
-but \textquotedbl{}grid\textquotedbl{} based or explicit column widths should work:\DUfootnotemark{footnote-reference-3}{footnote-3}{3}
+The \DUroletitlereference{width} option overrides \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} \DUroletitlereference{widths} as standard LaTeX tables
+don't have a global width setting:
 
-\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{0.750\linewidth}%
-\begin{longtable}{|p{0.051\DUtablewidth}|p{0.040\DUtablewidth}|p{0.040\DUtablewidth}|p{0.040\DUtablewidth}|}
-\caption{75\% wide table with explicit column widths}\\
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr0.600\linewidth-5\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{longtable}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.400}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.200}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.200}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.200}}|}
+\caption{This table has \DUroletitlereference{widths} \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} (ignored) and \DUroletitlereference{width} 60\%.}\\
 \hline
 \textbf{%
 A
@@ -598,7 +565,7 @@ D
 } \\
 \hline
 \endfirsthead
-\caption[]{75\% wide table with explicit column widths (... continued)}\\
+\caption[]{This table has \DUroletitlereference{widths} \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} (ignored) and \DUroletitlereference{width} 60\%. (... continued)}\\
 \hline
 \textbf{%
 A
@@ -611,7 +578,7 @@ D
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{4}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{4}{p{\DUcolumnwidth{1.000}}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -635,43 +602,105 @@ d
  \\
 \hline
 \end{longtable}
-%
-\DUfootnotetext{footnote-3}{footnote-reference-3}{3}{%
-Bug: The table \textquotedbl{}width\textquotedbl{} option is currently ignored.
+
+
+\subsection{Nested tables%
+  \label{nested-tables}%
 }
 
-\begin{longtable}{|l|l|}
-\caption{table with multirow header and \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column-widths}\\
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-3\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{longtable*}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.700}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.300}}|}
 \hline
-\multirow{2}{*}{\textbf{XXX}} & \textbf{Variable Summary} \\
-\cline{2-2}
- & \textbf{Description} \\
+
+Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur
+ & 
+adipisicing elit
+ \\
 \hline
-\endfirsthead
-\caption[]{table with multirow header and \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} column-widths (... continued)}\\
+
+\noindent\makebox[\linewidth][r]{%
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-3\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{tabular}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|}
 \hline
-\multirow{2}{*}{\textbf{XXX}} & \textbf{Variable Summary} \\
-\cline{2-2}
- & \textbf{Description} \\
+
+1
+ & 
+2
+ \\
 \hline
-\endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
-\endfoot
-\endlastfoot
-\multicolumn{2}{|l|}{multicollumn cell} \\
+\end{tabular}
+}
+ & 
+cell 1, 2
+ \\
+\hline
+
+table width depends on parent column
+
+\noindent\makebox[\linewidth][c]{%
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-3\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{tabular}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|}
 \hline
-\end{longtable}
+
+1
+ & 
+2
+ \\
+\hline
+\end{tabular}
+}
+
+better use \textquotedbl{}auto\textquotedbl{} widths, see below
+ & 
+same table
+
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-3\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{tabular}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|}
+\hline
+
+1
+ & 
+2
+ \\
+\hline
+\end{tabular}
+
+in narrow column
+ \\
+\hline
+
+\noindent\makebox[\linewidth][r]{%
+\begin{tabular}{|l|l|}
+\hline
+1 & 2 \\
+\hline
+\end{tabular}
+}
+
+\begin{description}
+\item[{definition:}] 
+list
+
+\end{description}
+ & 
+cell 3, 2
+ \\
+\hline
+\end{longtable*}
 
 
 \subsection{TODO%
   \label{todo}%
 }
 
-Limit the total width of a table to the \texttt{\textbackslash{}linewidth}, unless the table
-width is explicitely specified in the source.
+\begin{itemize}
+\item Tables with multi-paragraph multi-row cells currently fail due to a
+LaTeX limitation (see \url{https://sourceforge.net/p/docutils/bugs/225/}).
+
+\item Tweak vertical spacing in table cells containing multiple elements.
+\end{itemize}
 
-Tables with multi-paragraph multirow cells currently fail due to a LaTeX
-limitation (see \url{https://sourceforge.net/p/docutils/bugs/225/}).
+See also \texttt{test/functional/input/data/latex-problematic.txt}.
 
 
 \section{Monospaced non-alphanumeric characters%
@@ -844,8 +873,8 @@ In LaTeX, we must set an explicit anchor (\texttt{\textbackslash{}phantomsection
 \phantomsection\label{hypertarget-in-plain-text}hypertarget in plain text or in a figure but not in a longtable or
 caption:
 
-\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\linewidth}%
-\begin{longtable}{|p{0.075\DUtablewidth}|p{0.075\DUtablewidth}|p{0.075\DUtablewidth}|}
+\setlength{\DUtablewidth}{\dimexpr\linewidth-4\arrayrulewidth\relax}%
+\begin{longtable}{|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|p{\DUcolumnwidth{0.150}}|}
 \caption{Table with %
 \label{hypertarget-in-table-title}hypertarget in table title.}\\
 \hline
diff --git a/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_memoir.tex b/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_memoir.tex
index e56332837..e4fdbf88f 100644
--- a/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_memoir.tex
+++ b/docutils/test/functional/expected/latex_memoir.tex
@@ -987,7 +987,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1024,7 +1024,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1061,7 +1061,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1091,7 +1091,6 @@ writer/backend).
 \textbf{A} & \textbf{B} & \textbf{A or B} \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 False & False & False \\
@@ -1575,7 +1574,7 @@ A or B
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.24\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1643,7 +1642,7 @@ Header 3
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.68\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1703,7 +1702,7 @@ Description
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.49\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 \textbf{%
diff --git a/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_latex.tex b/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_latex.tex
index 0045fd15e..92822cd64 100644
--- a/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_latex.tex
+++ b/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_latex.tex
@@ -988,7 +988,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1025,7 +1025,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1062,7 +1062,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1092,7 +1092,6 @@ writer/backend).
 \textbf{A} & \textbf{B} & \textbf{A or B} \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 False & False & False \\
@@ -1597,7 +1596,7 @@ A or B
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.24\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1665,7 +1664,7 @@ Header 3
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.68\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1725,7 +1724,7 @@ Description
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.49\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 \textbf{%
diff --git a/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_xetex.tex b/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_xetex.tex
index 4e5a06602..41acad56f 100644
--- a/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_xetex.tex
+++ b/docutils/test/functional/expected/standalone_rst_xetex.tex
@@ -1022,7 +1022,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1059,7 +1059,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1096,7 +1096,7 @@ not A
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.15\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1126,7 +1126,6 @@ writer/backend).
 \textbf{A} & \textbf{B} & \textbf{A or B} \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 False & False & False \\
@@ -1635,7 +1634,7 @@ A or B
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.24\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1703,7 +1702,7 @@ Header 3
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.68\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 
@@ -1763,7 +1762,7 @@ Description
 } \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{3}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{3}{p{0.49\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot
 \textbf{%
diff --git a/docutils/test/functional/input/data/tables_latex.txt b/docutils/test/functional/input/data/tables_latex.txt
index 4b48bd296..7bd55b478 100644
--- a/docutils/test/functional/input/data/tables_latex.txt
+++ b/docutils/test/functional/input/data/tables_latex.txt
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@ Tables
 In contrast to HTML, LaTeX does not support line-breaks in tables with
 "automatic" column widths. Each cell has just one line, paragraphs are
 merged (the writer emits a warning).
-To provide for arbitrary cell content, the LaTeX writer defaults to
-specifying column widths computed from the source:
 
 .. table:: problems with "auto" widths
    :widths: auto
@@ -20,14 +18,11 @@ specifying column widths computed from the source:
    | linebreak |                  |
    +-----------+------------------+
 
-Docutils stores table column widths in the "doctree" (in characters,
-excluding the separator). In the .tex source, column widths are written
-as percent of the ``\linewidth``, computed on the assumption that an
-average text line is 80 characters wide. An allowance added to the stored
-column widths compensates the padding (``\tabcolsep``) added by LaTeX.
-The algorightm provides a working solution in many cases. [#]_
+To provide for arbitrary cell content, the LaTeX writer defaults to
+specifying column widths computed from the source column widths. This
+works sufficiently in many cases:
 
-.. table:: a table with multi-paragraph multicolumn cells
+.. table:: a table with multi-paragraph multi-column cells
 
   +----------+--------------+---------------------------------+-----------+
   | test     | **bold hd**  | multicolumn 1                   | *emph hd* |
@@ -45,17 +40,9 @@ The algorightm provides a working solution in many cases. [#]_
   | cell     | cell         | cell         | Short multicolumn 4          |
   +----------+--------------+--------------+------------------------------+
 
-.. [#] Currently, computed column widths are too wide.
-   TODO: Account for the ``\tabcolsep``.
 
-For good typographic results experimenting with the "width" and "widths"
-options of the `table directive`_ may be required. (Unfortunately, the
-interpretation of these values differs between LaTeX writer and HTML
-writer.)
-
-Simple tables use often no padding in the source while grid tables
-without padding look clumsy. Setting ``:widths: auto`` in the source
-whenever possible is recommended. [#]_
+A problem with the source-derived column widths is that simple tables
+often use no padding while grid tables without padding look cramped:
 
 .. table:: simple table, not padded in the source
 
@@ -76,6 +63,8 @@ whenever possible is recommended. [#]_
    | EUR | b | c | d |
    +-----+---+---+---+
 
+For better typographic results, setting the `width` and/or
+`widths` options of the `table directive`_ is recommended.
 
 .. table:: grid table, auto-width columns
    :widths: auto
@@ -88,17 +77,23 @@ whenever possible is recommended. [#]_
    | EUR | b | c | d |
    +-----+---+---+---+
 
+.. table:: table with multi-row header and "auto" column-widths
+   :widths: auto
 
-.. [#] Currently, the last column is extra wide because the
-   writer adds a hint "... continued on next page" to longtables with a
-   header row. The hint is only shown if the table does not fit on one
-   page but always affects the table width.
+   +------------+-------------------+
+   | XXX        | Variable Summary  |
+   |            +-------------------+
+   |            | Description       |
+   +============+===================+
+   | multi-column cell              |
+   +--------------------------------+
 
-If a specific total width is desired, "auto" column widths fail,
+The `width` option overrides "auto" `widths` as standard LaTeX tables
+don't have a global width setting:
 
-.. table:: 75% wide table with "auto" column widths
+.. table:: This table has `widths` "auto" (ignored) and `width` 60%.
    :widths: auto
-   :width: 75%
+   :width: 60%
 
    === = = =
     A  B C D
@@ -107,41 +102,53 @@ If a specific total width is desired, "auto" column widths fail,
    EUR b c d
    === = = =
 
-but "grid" based or explicit column widths should work: [#]_
-
-.. table:: 75% wide table with explicit column widths
-   :width: 75%
-   :widths: 3 2 2 2
-
-   === = = =
-    A  B C D
-   === = = =
-   100 2 3 4
-   EUR b c d
-   === = = =
+.. _table directive:
+   https://docutils.sourceforge.io/docs/ref/rst/directives.html#table
 
-.. [#] Bug: The table "width" option is currently ignored.
 
-.. table:: table with multirow header and "auto" column-widths
-   :widths: auto
+Nested tables
+-------------
+
++-----------------------------------------+-----------------+
+| Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur | adipisicing elit|
++-----------------------------------------+-----------------+
+| .. table::                              | cell 1, 2       |
+|     :align: right                       |                 |
+|                                         |                 |
+|     +-----+-----+                       |                 |
+|     |  1  |  2  |                       |                 |
+|     +-----+-----+                       |                 |
++-----------------------------------------+-----------------+
+| table width depends on parent column    | same table      |
+|                                         |                 |
+| .. table::                              |                 |
+|     :align: center                      |                 |
+|                                         |                 |
+|     +-----+-----+                       | +-----+-----+   |
+|     |  1  |  2  |                       | |  1  |  2  |   |
+|     +-----+-----+                       | +-----+-----+   |
+|                                         |                 |
+| better use "auto" widths, see below     | in narrow column|
++-----------------------------------------+-----------------+
+| .. table::                              | cell 3, 2       |
+|     :align: right                       |                 |
+|     :widths: auto                       |                 |
+|                                         |                 |
+|     +-----+-----+                       |                 |
+|     |  1  |  2  |                       |                 |
+|     +-----+-----+                       |                 |
+|                                         |                 |
+| definition:                             |                 |
+|             list                        |                 |
++-----------------------------------------+-----------------+
 
-   +------------+-------------------+
-   | XXX        | Variable Summary  |
-   |            +-------------------+
-   |            | Description       |
-   +============+===================+
-   | multicollumn cell              |
-   +--------------------------------+
 
 TODO
 ----
 
-Limit the total width of a table to the ``\linewidth``, unless the table
-width is explicitely specified in the source.
+* Tables with multi-paragraph multi-row cells currently fail due to a
+  LaTeX limitation (see https://sourceforge.net/p/docutils/bugs/225/).
 
-Tables with multi-paragraph multirow cells currently fail due to a LaTeX
-limitation (see https://sourceforge.net/p/docutils/bugs/225/).
+* Tweak vertical spacing in table cells containing multiple elements.
 
-
-.. _table directive:
-   https://docutils.sourceforge.io/docs/ref/rst/directives.html#table
+See also ``test/functional/input/data/latex-problematic.txt``.
diff --git a/docutils/test/functional/tests/latex_cornercases.py b/docutils/test/functional/tests/latex_cornercases.py
index 396f0cc6d..3b6bbbbac 100644
--- a/docutils/test/functional/tests/latex_cornercases.py
+++ b/docutils/test/functional/tests/latex_cornercases.py
@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ parser_name = "rst"
 writer_name = "latex"
 
 # Extra setting we need
+settings_overrides['legacy_column_widths'] = False
diff --git a/docutils/test/test_writers/test_latex2e.py b/docutils/test/test_writers/test_latex2e.py
index d6544ab3a..a1434a458 100755
--- a/docutils/test/test_writers/test_latex2e.py
+++ b/docutils/test/test_writers/test_latex2e.py
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ Title
 } &  \\
 \hline
 \endhead
-\multicolumn{2}{r}{... continued on next page} \\
+\multicolumn{2}{p{0.16\DUtablewidth}}{\raggedleft\ldots continued on next page}\\
 \endfoot
 \endlastfoot