diff --git a/lisp/org-table.el b/lisp/org-table.el
index 39555267c..ac0253ff1 100644
--- a/lisp/org-table.el
+++ b/lisp/org-table.el
@@ -387,16 +387,19 @@ portability of tables."
 	  (const :tag "Error on attempt to cross" error)))
 
 (defcustom org-table-formula-create-columns nil
-  "Non-nil means that evaluation of a field formula can add new
-columns if an out-of-bounds field is being set."
+  "Non-nil means evaluation of formula can add new columns.
+When non-nil, evaluating an out-of-bounds field can insert as
+many columns as needed.  When set to `warn', issue a warning when
+doing so.  When set to `prompt', ask user before creating a new
+column.  Otherwise, throw an error."
   :group 'org-table-calculation
   :version "26.1"
   :package-version '(Org . "8.3")
   :type '(choice
-	  (const :tag "Setting an out-of-bounds field generates an error (default)" nil)
-	  (const :tag "Setting an out-of-bounds field silently adds columns as needed" t)
-	  (const :tag "Setting an out-of-bounds field adds columns as needed, but issues a warning message" warn)
-	  (const :tag "When setting an out-of-bounds field, the user is prompted" prompt)))
+	  (const :tag "Out-of-bounds field generates an error (default)" nil)
+	  (const :tag "Out-of-bounds field silently adds columns as needed" t)
+	  (const :tag "Out-of-bounds field adds columns, but issues a warning" warn)
+	  (const :tag "Prompt user when setting an out-of-bounds field" prompt)))
 
 (defgroup org-table-import-export nil
   "Options concerning table import and export in Org mode."
@@ -3358,7 +3361,9 @@ existing formula for column %s"
 				  t))
 			   (and (eq org-table-formula-create-columns 'prompt)
 				(yes-or-no-p
-				 "Out-of-bounds formula.  Add columns? ")))))))
+				 "Out-of-bounds formula.  Add columns? "))
+			   (user-error
+			    "Missing columns in the table.  Aborting"))))))
 	     (org-table-eval-formula nil formula t t t t))))
 	;; Clean up markers and internal text property.
 	(remove-text-properties (point-min) (point-max) '(org-untouchable t))
diff --git a/testing/lisp/test-org-table.el b/testing/lisp/test-org-table.el
index 4f994270a..750290d36 100644
--- a/testing/lisp/test-org-table.el
+++ b/testing/lisp/test-org-table.el
@@ -1811,59 +1811,50 @@ See also `test-org-table/copy-field'."
 	    (buffer-string)))))
 
 (ert-deftest test-org-table/field-formula-outside-table ()
-  "If `org-table-formula-create-columns' is nil, then a formula
-that references an out-of-bounds column should do nothing. If it
-is t, then new columns should be added as needed"
-
-  (let ((org-table-formula-create-columns nil))
-
-    (should-error
-     (org-test-table-target-expect
-      "
+  "Test `org-table-formula-create-columns' variable."
+  ;; Refuse to create column if variable is nil.
+  (should-error
+   (org-test-with-temp-text "
 | 2 |
 | 4 |
 | 8 |
-"
-      "
-| 2 |
-| 4 |
-| 8 |
-"
-      1
-      "#+TBLFM: @1$2=5")
-     :type (list 'error 'user-error)))
-
-  (let ((org-table-formula-create-columns t))
-
-    ;; make sure field formulas work
-    (org-test-table-target-expect
-     "
-| 2 |
-| 4 |
-| 8 |
-"
-     "
+<point>#+TBLFM: @1$2=5"
+     (let ((org-table-formula-create-columns nil))
+       (org-table-calc-current-TBLFM))
+     (buffer-string))
+   :type (list 'error 'user-error))
+  ;; If the variable is non-nil, field formulas and columns formulas
+  ;; can create tables.
+  (should
+   (equal
+    "
 | 2 | 5 |
 | 4 |   |
 | 8 |   |
-"
-     1
-     "#+TBLFM: @1$2=5")
-
-    ;; and make sure column formulas work too
-    (org-test-table-target-expect
-     "
+#+TBLFM: @1$2=5"
+    (org-test-with-temp-text "
 | 2 |
 | 4 |
 | 8 |
-"
-     "
+<point>#+TBLFM: @1$2=5"
+      (let ((org-table-formula-create-columns t))
+	(org-table-calc-current-TBLFM))
+      (buffer-string))))
+  (should
+   (equal
+    "
 | 2 |   | 15 |
 | 4 |   | 15 |
 | 8 |   | 15 |
-"
-     1
-     "#+TBLFM: $3=15")))
+#+TBLFM: $3=15"
+    (org-test-with-temp-text "
+| 2 |
+| 4 |
+| 8 |
+<point>#+TBLFM: $3=15"
+      (let ((org-table-formula-create-columns t))
+	(org-table-calc-current-TBLFM))
+      (buffer-string)))))
 
 (ert-deftest test-org-table/duration ()
   "Test durations in table formulas."