Here is the same problem.
You need to set table-layout:fixed and a suitable width on the table element, as well as overflow:hidden and white-space: nowrap on the table cells.
Examples
Fixed width columns
The width of the table has to be the same (or smaller) than the fixed width cell(s).
With one fixed width column:
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
table {
table-layout: fixed;
border-collapse: collapse;
width: 100%;
max-width: 100px;
}
td {
background: #F00;
padding: 20px;
overflow: hidden;
white-space: nowrap;
width: 100px;
border: solid 1px #000;
}<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>With multiple fixed width columns:
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
table {
table-layout: fixed;
border-collapse: collapse;
width: 100%;
max-width: 200px;
}
td {
background: #F00;
padding: 20px;
overflow: hidden;
white-space: nowrap;
width: 100px;
border: solid 1px #000;
}<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>Fixed and fluid width columns
A width for the table must be set, but any extra width is simply taken by the fluid cell(s).
With multiple columns, fixed width and fluid width:
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
table {
table-layout: fixed;
border-collapse: collapse;
width: 100%;
}
td {
background: #F00;
padding: 20px;
border: solid 1px #000;
}
tr td:first-child {
overflow: hidden;
white-space: nowrap;
width: 100px;
}<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
<td>
This_is_a_terrible_example_of_thinking_outside_the_box.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>