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Inserting a table on a page

You can insert a table anywhere on a page, including within another table (see Inserting a table within a table). You can quickly insert a standard table with three rows and three columns, or you can modify options to insert a custom table.

When you insert a table, it’s a good idea to apply headings, if you need them. Using headings makes the table more accessible to people with disabilities. Do not create headings for rows or columns by making text in the first row or column bold and centered. Screen readers read only those headings that you apply as a table property.

For information about a table-rendering option that might improve performance when you’re editing large tables, see Setting general preferences.

Tip: After you insert a table and start adding content to it, use the Preview in Browser feature to see exactly how the table will appear in the browsers of your website visitors (see Previewing a page in your default browser).

To insert a table:

  1. Place the insertion point in your draft where you want the table to appear.
  2. Do one of the following to open the Insert Table dialog box:
  3. Enter the number of rows and columns you want, or accept the defaults for a table with three rows and three columns.
  4. Change table properties as desired:
  5. Table width indicates how wide the table is.

    Select Default width if you want the width of the table columns to change as you add content. Select Specific width if you want a fixed table width. Enter a number, and use the pop-up menu to indicate whether the number represents a number of pixels or the percentage of the page the table will occupy.

    Border thickness is the thickness of the border around the table and between cells.

    Tip: Enter 0 if you do not want a table border.

    Cell padding indicates the amount of space, in pixels, between the edge of the table cell and the content of the cell.

    Note: If you do not enter a value, Contribute sets cell padding to the default value, which is 1 pixel.

    Cell spacing indicates the amount of space, in pixels, between each table cell.

    Note: If you do not enter a value, Contribute sets cell spacing to the default value, which is 3 pixels.

  6. Click a button in the Header section to indicate whether you want a header; select from the following options:
  7. None indicates no header.

    Left indicates a header column.

    Top indicates a header row.

    Both indicates a header column and a header row.

    Tip: Screen readers read headings of rows or columns that have one of these header types applied; they do not read headings that you create by entering bold and centered text.

  8. Click OK.
  9. The table appears in your draft.

Tip: After you insert the table, select it, and then click the Table button again to change table properties. For information about changing header properties, see Modifying row or column properties.


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