Eliminate space at end of list in a table

Question

I have a tabular environment, created with array loaded and using m columns, the cells of which mostly contain lists. In cells with a list, there is about 1em of dead space at the end of the list before the bottom of the cell (in the cell with the largest contents which sets the row size). I am trying to get rid of this space, to no avail. I am using a custom itemize* environment that sets \topsep, \parskip, and \partopsep all to 0pt at the beginning (immediately after \begin{itemize}). This eliminates internal spacing but not the end spacing. I also have it setting \@noparlisttrue, but to no avail. Here's my itemize* definition:

\newenvironment{itemize*}{\begin{itemize}%
  \setlength\topsep{0pt}%
  \setlength\itemsep{-2pt}%
  \setlength\parskip{0pt}%
  \setlength\partopsep{0pt}%
  \@noparlisttrue}{\end{itemize}}

I've tried setting \topsep, \parskip, and \partopsep before the \begin{itemize*} in my table cell as well, but I still have the blank space.

Tracing and Phillipe's comment indicate that it is invoking \par at the end of the list and this is causing the whitespace. Including \setlength\parskip{0pt} or \setlength\parskip{-\baselineskip} before \begin{itemize*} or before \end{itemize*} do not eliminate the space.

How can I get rid of it?

Answer 1

You could avoid that additional space by putting the itemize* environment into a \parbox, even if it's already in a p cell. A minipage would also work.

Such a minipage environment could also be inserted into your definition of \itemize*. However, a width is mandatory. If the width is variable, it might mean additional work.

If you need a quick fix: \vspace{-2em} or any other suitable negative value, directly after \end{itemize} in your definition, would remove empty space at the bottom.