Create a table from scratch, Using the insert table option, Using the create table option – Adobe InDesign CC 2015 User Manual

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Tables

Last updated 6/6/2015

Tables flow with surrounding text just as inline graphics do. For example, a table moves through threaded frames when
the text above it changes in point size or when text is added or deleted. However, a table cannot appear on a text-on-
path frame.

Michael Murphy provides an article on creating and formatting tables at

Mind Your Table Manners

.

Jeff Witchell from InfiniteSkills.com provides a video demonstration on

The basics of setting up tables

.

Create a table from scratch

When you create a table in InDesign, you have the option to create the table within an existing text frame (

Using the

Insert Table option

). Alternatively, you can create a table and allow InDesign to create the enclosing text frame (

Using

the Create Table option

).

Using the Insert Table option

1

To draw a table within an existing text frame use the Type tool

and place the insertion point where you want the

table to appear.

2

Choose Table > Insert Table.

Note: If the cursor is currently not within a text frame, the Create Table option is available.

3

Specify the numbers of rows and columns.

4

If your table contents will continue on more than one column or frame, specify the number of header or footer rows
in which you want the information to be repeated.

5

(Optional) Specify a table style.

6

Click OK.

The new table fills the width of the text frame.

Using the Create Table option

When you use the Create Table option to create a table, you do not need to first create a text frame in your document.
As soon as you draw the table on the document, InDesign creates a text frame the size of the table that you draw.

1

Choose Table > Create Table.

Note: If the cursor is currently within a text frame, the Insert Table option is available.

2

Specify the numbers of rows and columns.

3

If your table contents will continue on more than one column or frame, specify the number of header or footer rows
in which you want the information to be repeated.

4

(Optional) Specify a table style.

5

Click OK.

6

Use the Table cursor to draw the table that you require.

InDesign creates a text frame the size of the drawn area and places the table within the text frame.

The row height of a table is determined by the specified table style. For example, a table style may use cell styles to
format different parts of the table. If any of these cell styles include paragraph styles, the leading value of the paragraph
styles determines the row height of that area. If no paragraph style is used, the document’s default slug determines the
row height. (The slug is based on the leading value. In this context, a slug is the approximate height of the highlighting
in selected text.)

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