Adding space between columns in a table

Question

I notice that the space between each column of a table in LaTeX is not quite wide (at least for me). Is there any way to set this? I found the \hspace, but I don't get how to use this in the table.

ADDED: Found the answer! put \renewcommand{\tabcolsep}{3cm} (the 3cm is just an example) if you want to change the space in all table. If you want to change it on one or several, Stefan's answer will be the best.

Answer 1

The parameter to act on is \tabcolsep, whose value is usually 6pt. So

\setlength{\tabcolsep}{12pt}

will double the intercolumn space. The parameter stores half the space between columns: in LaTeX each column is preceded and followed by a horizontal space \tabcolsep wide.

Answer 2

You can add space by inserting @{\hskip whatever} between the column specifiers, as in

\begin{tabular}{l@{\hskip 1in}c@{\hskip 0.5in}c}
  One&Two& Three\\
  Four& Five& Six
\end{tabular}

Actually, you can add whatever you like between the columns in place of the usual intercolumn space, e.g.,

\begin{tabular}{l@{ or }c@{\hskip 0.5in}c}
  One&Two& Three\\
  Four& Five& Six
\end{tabular}

Answer 3

You can adjust the length \tabcolsep, for example:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}  
\centering
\begin{tabular}{cc}
text & text
\end{tabular}
\setlength{\tabcolsep}{3em}

\begin{tabular}{cc}
text & text
\end{tabular}
\end{document}

\tabcolsep is the space which is inserted before and after a column. Note, this means that the space between two columns is 2\tabcolsep.