diff --git a/src/pynwb/file.py b/src/pynwb/file.py
index 8bd7ff447..a8e9dd1b6 100644
--- a/src/pynwb/file.py
+++ b/src/pynwb/file.py
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ def __check_epochs(self):
         if self.epochs is None:
             self.epochs = TimeIntervals(name='epochs', description='experimental epochs')
 
-    @docval(*get_docval(TimeIntervals.add_column))
+    @docval(*get_docval(TimeIntervals.add_column), allow_extra=True)
     def add_epoch_column(self, **kwargs):
         """
         Add a column to the epoch table.
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ def __check_electrodes(self):
         if self.electrodes is None:
             self.electrodes = ElectrodeTable()
 
-    @docval(*get_docval(DynamicTable.add_column))
+    @docval(*get_docval(DynamicTable.add_column), allow_extra=True)
     def add_electrode_column(self, **kwargs):
         """
         Add a column to the electrode table.
@@ -747,7 +747,7 @@ def __check_units(self):
         if self.units is None:
             self.units = Units(name='units', description='Autogenerated by NWBFile')
 
-    @docval(*get_docval(Units.add_column))
+    @docval(*get_docval(Units.add_column), allow_extra=True)
     def add_unit_column(self, **kwargs):
         """
         Add a column to the unit table.
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ def __check_trials(self):
         if self.trials is None:
             self.trials = TimeIntervals(name='trials', description='experimental trials')
 
-    @docval(*get_docval(DynamicTable.add_column))
+    @docval(*get_docval(DynamicTable.add_column), allow_extra=True)
     def add_trial_column(self, **kwargs):
         """
         Add a column to the trial table.
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ def __check_invalid_times(self):
                 description='time intervals to be removed from analysis'
             )
 
-    @docval(*get_docval(DynamicTable.add_column))
+    @docval(*get_docval(DynamicTable.add_column), allow_extra=True)
     def add_invalid_times_column(self, **kwargs):
         """
         Add a column to the invalid times table.