diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants.ts b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants.ts
index c7ab0bef7849..5c638aeba346 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants.ts
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
  */
 
 export const CELL_PADDING = 5; // px
+export const ROW_MIN_HEIGHT = 38; // px, keeps sparse rows (e.g. bulk-select only) from collapsing
 export const DEFAULT_COL_MIN_WIDTH = 150; // px
 export const DEFAULT_COL_WIDTH = 1; // fraction, similar to CSS unit fr.
 export const MORE_ACTIONS_TITLE = 'More';
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/DefaultColumnRenderers.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/DefaultColumnRenderers.tsx
index 39253a9158b1..adfb59c7d11d 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/DefaultColumnRenderers.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/DefaultColumnRenderers.tsx
@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ const DefaultColumnRenderers = {
     },
   },
   attributes: {
+    title: {
+      textAlign: 'left' as const,
+    },
+    name: {
+      textAlign: 'left' as const,
+    },
     description: {
       width: 2,
     },
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityDataTable.test.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityDataTable.test.tsx
index 1932ef5799e9..6280cded6444 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityDataTable.test.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityDataTable.test.tsx
@@ -108,6 +108,16 @@ describe('<EntityDataTable />', () => {
     await screen.findByText('Entity description');
   });
 
+  it('should center cell content, except for title cells', async () => {
+    render(<EntityDataTable {...defaultProps} />);
+
+    const statusCell = await screen.findByRole('cell', { name: 'enabled' });
+    const titleCell = await screen.findByRole('cell', { name: 'Entity title' });
+
+    expect(statusCell).toHaveStyle({ textAlign: 'center' });
+    expect(titleCell).toHaveStyle({ textAlign: 'left' });
+  });
+
   it('should render custom cell and header renderer', async () => {
     render(
       <EntityDataTable
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityTableOverrideRow.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityTableOverrideRow.tsx
index 11dd9bdf3170..3787592f4834 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityTableOverrideRow.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityTableOverrideRow.tsx
@@ -17,14 +17,21 @@
 import * as React from 'react';
 import styled from 'styled-components';
 
+import { ROW_MIN_HEIGHT } from 'components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants';
+
 const Row = styled.tr`
   cursor: default;
+  height: ${ROW_MIN_HEIGHT}px; /* standardizes row height, acts as a minimum in table layout */
 `;
 
 const TD = styled.td`
   min-width: 50px;
-  word-break: break-word;
+  overflow-wrap: break-word;
   padding: 4px 5px 2px;
+
+  && {
+    vertical-align: middle;
+  }
 `;
 
 const Content = styled.div`
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Table.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Table.tsx
index 5e9fc9118915..1a978d71a9e4 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Table.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/Table.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import styled, { css } from 'styled-components';
 import { Table as BaseTable } from 'components/bootstrap';
 import EntityTableOverrideRow from 'components/common/EntityDataTable/EntityTableOverrideRow';
 import ExpandedSections from 'components/common/EntityDataTable/ExpandedSections';
-import { ACTIONS_COL_ID } from 'components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants';
+import { ACTIONS_COL_ID, ROW_MIN_HEIGHT, UTILITY_COLUMNS } from 'components/common/EntityDataTable/Constants';
 import type {
   EntityBase,
   ExpandedSectionRenderers,
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ const StyledTable = styled(BaseTable)(
   ({ theme }) => css`
     table-layout: fixed;
     margin-bottom: 0;
-    height: 100%; // required to be able to use height: 100% in td
+    height: 100%; /* required to be able to use height: 100% in td */
 
     tbody > tr.active {
       background-color: ${theme.colors.table.row.backgroundStriped} !important;
@@ -52,34 +52,63 @@ const StyledTable = styled(BaseTable)(
   `,
 );
 
+const Tr = styled.tr`
+  height: ${ROW_MIN_HEIGHT}px; /* standardizes row height, acts as a minimum in table layout */
+`;
+
 const Td = styled.td<{
   $colId: string;
   $hidePadding: boolean;
   $pinningPosition: ColumnPinningPosition;
+  $showDivider: boolean;
+  $textAlign: 'left' | 'center' | 'right' | undefined;
+  $wrapContent: boolean;
 }>(
-  ({ $colId, $hidePadding, $pinningPosition }) => css`
-    word-break: break-word;
+  ({ $colId, $hidePadding, $pinningPosition, $showDivider, $textAlign, $wrapContent, theme }) => css`
     opacity: var(${columnOpacityVar($colId)}, 1);
     transform: var(${columnTransformVar($colId)}, none);
     transition: var(${columnTransition()}, none);
-    height: 100%; // required to be able to use height: 100% in child elements
+    height: 100%; /* required to be able to use height: 100% in child elements */
+    text-align: ${$textAlign ?? 'center'};
+
+    && {
+      vertical-align: middle; /* center content vertically (horizontal alignment unchanged) */
+    }
+
+    ${$showDivider &&
+    css`
+      border-right: 1px solid ${theme.colors.table.row.divider};
+    `}
+
     ${$pinningPosition
       ? css`
           position: sticky;
           ${$pinningPosition === 'left' ? 'left' : 'right'}: 0;
           ${ScrollShadow('left')}
+
           &::before {
             display: var(${displayScrollRightIndicatorVar}, none);
           }
         `
       : ''}
 
-    ${$hidePadding &&
-    css`
-      && {
-        padding: 0;
-      }
-    `}
+    ${$hidePadding
+      ? css`
+          && {
+            padding: 0;
+          }
+        `
+      : css`
+          ${$wrapContent
+            ? css`
+                overflow-wrap: break-word;
+              `
+            : css`
+                white-space: nowrap;
+                overflow: hidden;
+                text-overflow: ellipsis;
+              `}
+        `}
   `,
 );
 
@@ -106,15 +135,23 @@ const Table = <Entity extends EntityBase>({
       {rows.map((row) => {
         const visibleCells = row.getVisibleCells();
         const visibleCellCount = visibleCells.length;
-        const renderCell = (cell) => {
+        const renderCell = (cell, index?: number) => {
           const columnMeta = cell.column.columnDef.meta as ColumnMetaContext<Entity>;
+          const nextCell = index === undefined ? undefined : visibleCells[index + 1];
+          // Column dividers are only drawn between two attribute columns, so the bulk select
+          // and the (possibly empty) actions column don't produce stray lines.
+          const showDivider =
+            !!nextCell && !UTILITY_COLUMNS.has(cell.column.id) && !UTILITY_COLUMNS.has(nextCell.column.id);
 
           return (
             <Td
               key={cell.id}
               $colId={cell.column.id}
               $pinningPosition={cell.column.getIsPinned()}
-              $hidePadding={columnMeta?.hideCellPadding}>
+              $hidePadding={columnMeta?.hideCellPadding}
+              $showDivider={showDivider}
+              $textAlign={columnMeta?.columnRenderer?.textAlign}
+              $wrapContent={columnMeta?.columnRenderer?.wrapContent}>
               {flexRender(cell.column.columnDef.cell, cell.getContext())}
             </Td>
           );
@@ -133,7 +170,7 @@ const Table = <Entity extends EntityBase>({
               />
             ) : (
               <>
-                <tr className={isRowExpanded(row.id) ? 'active' : null}>{visibleCells.map(renderCell)}</tr>
+                <Tr className={isRowExpanded(row.id) ? 'active' : null}>{visibleCells.map(renderCell)}</Tr>
                 <ExpandedSections
                   key={`expanded-sections-${row.id}`}
                   expandedSectionRenderers={expandedSectionRenderers}
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useActionsColumnDefinition.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useActionsColumnDefinition.tsx
index d83c76cc4f0b..62281147d407 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useActionsColumnDefinition.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useActionsColumnDefinition.tsx
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ const Actions = styled.div<{ $isEvenRow: boolean }>(
       $isEvenRow ? theme.colors.table.row.background : theme.colors.table.row.backgroundStriped,
     ])};
     height: 100%;
-    align-items: flex-start;
+    align-items: center;
   `,
 );
 
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useAttributeColumnDefinitions.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useAttributeColumnDefinitions.tsx
index f1906ba36b2b..3b2be35c8132 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useAttributeColumnDefinitions.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/hooks/useAttributeColumnDefinitions.tsx
@@ -38,6 +38,26 @@ import ActiveSliceColContext from 'components/common/EntityDataTable/contexts/Ac
 
 import SortIcon from '../SortIcon';
 
+// Column drag-to-reorder and resize controls are hidden until the header is hovered or focused,
+// reducing visual clutter. Uses opacity (not display) so the reserved width stays stable for
+// useHeaderSectionObserver and the label doesn't shift when the control appears. Devices
+// without hover (touch) keep the controls always visible, since they could not reveal them.
+const HandleSlot = styled.div<{ $forceVisible?: boolean }>(
+  ({ $forceVisible }) => css`
+    opacity: ${$forceVisible ? 1 : 0};
+    transition: opacity 150ms ease-in-out;
+
+    th:hover &,
+    th:focus-within & {
+      opacity: 1;
+    }
+
+    @media (hover: none) {
+      opacity: 1;
+    }
+  `,
+);
+
 export const ThInner = styled.div`
   display: flex;
   justify-content: space-between;
@@ -119,13 +139,15 @@ const AttributeHeader = <Entity extends EntityBase>({
     <ThInner ref={setNodeRef}>
       <LeftCol ref={leftRef}>
         {columnMeta?.enableColumnOrdering && (
-          <DragHandle
-            ref={setActivatorNodeRef}
-            index={ctx.header.index}
-            dragHandleProps={{ ...attributes, ...listeners }}
-            isDragging={isDragging}
-            itemTitle={columnLabel}
-          />
+          <HandleSlot $forceVisible={isDragging}>
+            <DragHandle
+              ref={setActivatorNodeRef}
+              index={ctx.header.index}
+              dragHandleProps={{ ...attributes, ...listeners }}
+              isDragging={isDragging}
+              itemTitle={columnLabel}
+            />
+          </HandleSlot>
         )}
         <HeaderActionsDropdown
           label={columnLabel}
@@ -142,11 +164,13 @@ const AttributeHeader = <Entity extends EntityBase>({
       </LeftCol>
       <RightCol ref={rightRef}>
         {ctx.header.column.getCanResize() && (
-          <ResizeHandle
-            onMouseDown={ctx.header.getResizeHandler()}
-            onTouchStart={ctx.header.getResizeHandler()}
-            colTitle={columnLabel}
-          />
+          <HandleSlot $forceVisible={ctx.header.column.getIsResizing()}>
+            <ResizeHandle
+              onMouseDown={ctx.header.getResizeHandler()}
+              onTouchStart={ctx.header.getResizeHandler()}
+              colTitle={columnLabel}
+            />
+          </HandleSlot>
         )}
       </RightCol>
     </ThInner>
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/types.ts b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/types.ts
index e610aa8c01ab..e7536e57bad3 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/types.ts
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/common/EntityDataTable/types.ts
@@ -45,11 +45,14 @@ export type ColumnSchema = {
 export type ColumnRenderer<Entity extends EntityBase, Meta = unknown> = {
   renderCell?: (value: unknown, entity: Entity, meta: Meta, additionalInfo?: unknown) => React.ReactNode;
   renderHeader?: (title: string) => React.ReactNode;
-  textAlign?: string;
+  // Horizontal cell content alignment. Cells are centered by default; title and link cells should be left-aligned.
+  textAlign?: 'left' | 'center' | 'right';
   minWidth?: number; // px
   width?: number; // fraction of unassigned table width, similar to CSS unit fr.
   // Uses the rendered title width as the fixed width; or provide a px value, if the title width is too small.
   staticWidth?: number | 'matchHeader';
+  // Opt out of the default single-line truncation for cells whose content needs to wrap (e.g. multi-line renderers).
+  wrapContent?: boolean;
 };
 
 export type ColumnRenderersByAttribute<Entity extends EntityBase, Meta = unknown> = {
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/events/events/ColumnRenderers.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/events/events/ColumnRenderers.tsx
index 21afc7188c49..01307651fc42 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/events/events/ColumnRenderers.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/events/events/ColumnRenderers.tsx
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ const CustomColumnRenderers: ColumnRenderers<Event> = {
     ...getGeneralEventAttributeRenderers<Event>(),
     event_definition_id: {
       width: 0.3,
+      textAlign: 'left',
       renderCell: (eventDefinitionId: string, _, meta: EventsAdditionalData) => (
         <EventDefinitionRenderer meta={meta} eventDefinitionId={eventDefinitionId} />
       ),
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/lookup-tables/lookup-table-list/column-renderers.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/lookup-tables/lookup-table-list/column-renderers.tsx
index fa910cf304d3..4538c25ac685 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/lookup-tables/lookup-table-list/column-renderers.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/lookup-tables/lookup-table-list/column-renderers.tsx
@@ -119,10 +119,12 @@ const columnRenderers: ColumnRenderers<LookupTableEntity, { adapters: AdaptersMa
     },
     cache_id: {
       width: 0.1,
+      textAlign: 'left',
       renderCell: (cache_id: string, _c, meta) => <CacheCol cacheId={cache_id} caches={meta.caches} />,
     },
     data_adapter_id: {
       width: 0.1,
+      textAlign: 'left',
       renderCell: (data_adapter_id: string, _c, meta) => (
         <DataAdapterCol dataAdapterId={data_adapter_id} dataAdapters={meta.adapters} />
       ),
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/ColumnRenderers.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/ColumnRenderers.tsx
index 3222dd77e2ec..fd4e07b98050 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/ColumnRenderers.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/ColumnRenderers.tsx
@@ -53,10 +53,12 @@ const customColumnRenderers = (
     title: {
       renderCell: (_title: string, stream) => <TitleCell stream={stream} />,
       width: 0.5,
+      wrapContent: true,
     },
     index_set_title: {
       renderCell: (_index_set_title: string, stream) => <IndexSetCell indexSets={indexSets} stream={stream} />,
       width: 0.3,
+      textAlign: 'left',
     },
     throughput: {
       renderCell: (_throughput: string, stream) => <ThroughputCell stream={stream} />,
diff --git a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/cells/TitleCell.tsx b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/cells/TitleCell.tsx
index 983bd08684c1..22eaab925291 100644
--- a/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/cells/TitleCell.tsx
+++ b/graylog2-web-interface/src/components/streams/StreamsOverview/cells/TitleCell.tsx
@@ -30,22 +30,41 @@ const DefaultLabel = styled(Label)`
   vertical-align: inherit;
 `;
 
+const Container = styled.div`
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  justify-content: center;
+  min-height: 2lh; /* reserve two lines so rows with and without description have the same height */
+`;
+
+const TitleRow = styled.div`
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+`;
+
 const StyledText = styled(Text)(
   ({ theme }) => css`
     color: ${theme.colors.text.secondary};
+    line-height: inherit; /* match the title line, so two lines fill the container exactly */
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
   `,
 );
 
 const TitleCell = ({ stream }: Props) => (
-  <>
-    <Link to={Routes.stream_search(stream.id)}>{stream.title}</Link>
-    {stream.is_default && (
-      <DefaultLabel bsStyle="primary" bsSize="xsmall">
-        Default
-      </DefaultLabel>
-    )}
-    <StyledText>{stream.description}</StyledText>
-  </>
+  <Container>
+    <TitleRow>
+      <Link to={Routes.stream_search(stream.id)}>{stream.title}</Link>
+      {stream.is_default && (
+        <DefaultLabel bsStyle="primary" bsSize="xsmall">
+          Default
+        </DefaultLabel>
+      )}
+    </TitleRow>
+    {stream.description && <StyledText>{stream.description}</StyledText>}
+  </Container>
 );
 
 export default TitleCell;