Tables in InDesign

InDesign is capible of handling tables to an extent.

Creating Tables

• Follow these steps if you would like to create a brand new table.
1. Using the text tool , select where you would like to insert your table.
• You can draw a new text box using the text tool , or you can
• Use the text tool to select an existing text box. You can insert a table in the middle of a bunch of text, if you wish.
2. In the menus, choose Table -> Insert Table.
3. Specify the number of rows and columns using the window that just came up.
4. Click OK.

Done!

• Follow these steps if you would like to convert some text into a table.
1. Make sure that all of the text you would like to convert into a table uses the same character to define columns, and the same character to define rows. The standard is a tab for columns, and a paragraph (return) for rows.
2. Using the text tool , select the text you would like to convert into a table.
3. In the menus, select Table -> Convert Text to Table.
4. Make sure the column and row separators are correct.
5. Click OK.

Done!

Converting Tables to Text

Just like converting text to tables above, you can go back.

1. Use the text tool to select anywhere in your table.
2. In the menus, select Table -> Convert Table to Text.
3. Make sure the row and column separators are what you want.
4. Click OK.

Done!

Resizing Tables

Table sizes are not controlled by text box frames by any means. If your text box frame is smaller than the graphical size of your text box, then the sides of your text box will get cut off. End of story.

To resize tables...

1. Click on the text tool .
2. Move your mouse around your table. Watch for it to change to either a for columns, a for rows, or a for changing all rows and columns in the same way. The cursor only occurs in the bottom-right corner of your table.
3. To resize, click and drag when your mouse changes to one of the above cursors.

Done!