Agency Operations

Clean Up Badly Formatted CVs for ATS

Learn how to fix tables, columns, fonts, and spacing issues that disrupt ATS parsing. Save time and improve CV readability. Get the guide.

By Xabi Errotabehere, founder, Distill · Updated 10 June 2026

You've just opened a CV that looks like it was designed in 2003 — tables everywhere, weird fonts, two columns that mess up parsing, and odd spacing that breaks the flow. Fixing these formatting disasters fast saves you time and keeps your ATS happy.

TL;DR: Most ATS choke on tables, multi-column layouts, and non-standard fonts. The quickest fixes are removing tables, flattening columns into a single flow, and switching fonts to something standard like Calibri or Arial. For minor spacing issues, simple Word tweaks work. When it gets messy, use a tool to automate the clean-up.

The most common CV formatting disasters

These are the CV quirks that trip up ATS parsing and slow you down:

  • Tables everywhere: Many CVs use tables for layout or section separation. ATS often reads tables as disconnected snippets, scrambling contact info or work history.
  • Two-column or multi-column layouts: Columns break the natural reading order. ATS pulls text in the wrong sequence, mixing up dates, roles, and responsibilities.
  • Weird fonts and styles: Uncommon fonts or excessive styling can cause garbled characters or unreadable text in ATS.
  • Odd spacing and line breaks: Extra spaces, inconsistent line heights, or manual line breaks create parsing errors or blank fields.
  • Embedded images or icons: Some CVs have logos, photos, or icons that confuse ATS or cause upload errors.
  • PDFs saved as images: Scanned PDFs or image-based PDFs prevent text extraction altogether.

Quick fixes for each problem type

Here's how to address these issues quickly using Word or free tools:

  • Tables:

    • Select the table in Word.
    • Use Layout > Convert to Text (choose tabs or paragraphs).
    • Check alignment and spacing.
    • This flattens the table into plain text your ATS can read.

  • Multi-column layouts:

    • In Word, go to Layout > Columns > One.
    • This stacks columns vertically, restoring reading order.
    • If columns are created with tables, convert tables to text first.

  • Weird fonts:

    • Select all text (Ctrl+A).
    • Change font to Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman.
    • Remove bold, italics, and colours unless necessary.

  • Spacing and line breaks:

    • Show paragraph marks (¶) in Word to spot manual breaks.
    • Replace double spaces with single spaces (Ctrl+H).
    • Remove extra blank lines.
    • Use Clear All Formatting if styles get messy.

  • Embedded images/icons:

    • Right-click and delete images.
    • If photos are essential, consider removing before ATS submission.

  • PDF issues:

    • Use an online PDF-to-Word converter (like Adobe Acrobat or Google Docs).
    • Check for text extraction errors after conversion.

When to fix manually vs use a tool

Manual fixes work well when:

  • The CV has a few tables or simple columns.
  • You only need to fix a handful of CVs weekly.
  • The formatting issues are straightforward (fonts, spacing).

Manual work takes minutes per CV but adds up fast.

Use a tool when:

  • You process 20+ badly formatted CVs weekly.
  • CVs regularly have complex tables, multi-columns, or embedded images.
  • You want consistent output without repetitive manual fixes.
  • You need to strip personal details automatically for compliance.

Tools like Distill automate these fixes. Distill strips tables, converts multi-columns, normalises fonts, and removes photos and personal details before submission. It saves recruiters time and reduces errors in ATS ingestion.

FAQ

Why do tables cause parsing errors?

Tables break text into separate cells. ATS reads these cells out of order or drops some content. Flattening tables into plain text restores the correct sequence.

Can I keep a two-column layout for client presentation?

Yes, but only after ATS submission. For ATS, submit a single-column plain text version. You can send a formatted copy later for client review.

What fonts are safest for ATS?

Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, and Verdana are widely supported. Avoid script or decorative fonts that ATS can misread.

Does removing images affect candidate presentation?

Yes. Photos and logos can add visual appeal but confuse ATS. Remove them for initial submission, then share the original CV if needed.

Is manual fixing faster than using a tool?

For one or two CVs, manual fixes might be quicker. For larger volumes or repeat issues, a tool pays back in saved time and fewer errors.

If you're sending 20+ CVs a week with tables, columns, or messy fonts, try Distill free. It formats each CV to ATS-friendly standards automatically, so you spend less time fixing and more time recruiting.