Formatting tables


    The properties in the Table tab of the Table Inspector let you set a variety of properties that affect all of the cells in the table, and let you set the alignment of the table relative to its surroundings. You can also import text into the table, add a caption, or convert the table into a layout grid.

    Note: In addition to setting options in the Table Inspector, you can customize the appearance of a table by applying a predefined table style to it. For more information on applying predefined table styles, see Formatting tables using table styles.

To format a table:

  1. In the Table tab of the Table Inspector, enter the desired Border width value.
  2. Tip If you set the border width to 0, the borders appear as a solid or dashed outline in the Layout Editor but do not appear in the browser. To hide the border that outlines tables with no border while you design in the Layout Editor, choose View > Hide Invisible Items.

  3. To change the amount of vertical and horizontal space that appears between cell walls and content within the cells, enter a number for Cell Pad value.
  4. To change the size of cell walls, enter a number for Cell Space value.
  5. Illustration of Border, Cell Pad, and Cell Space table properties compared with these callouts: A. Border of 1 pixel B. Border of 10 pixels C. Cell pad of 5 pixels D. Cell pad of 10 pixels E. Cell space of 5 pixels F. Cell space of 10 pixels
    Border, Cell Pad, and Cell Space table properties compared A. Border of 1 pixel B. Border of 10 pixels C. Cell pad of 5 pixels D. Cell pad of 10 pixels E. Cell space of 5 pixels F. Cell space of 10 pixels
  6. Select Color to apply a background color to the table. To set the color value, do one of the following:
    • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the color field or click the black triangle in the lower right corner of the color field, and then select a color from the color swatches that appear.
    • Click the color field and then select a color from the Color palette that appears. (See Using color.)

    Tip If a table cell doesn't contain text or other content, the table background color won't display while viewing the page in the Layout Editor or in some browsers. To display background color in empty cells, insert a nonbreaking space into the cell. (See Adding spacers, nonbreaking spaces, or transparent GIFs.)

  7. Choose an option from the Align menu to align the table with respect to the document window. Choose Left or Right to have surrounding text or objects wrap to the side of the Table. Choose Default to have surrounding text or objects wrap along the bottom edge of the table. (You can't use the Align menu to align a table on a layout grid.)
  8. Select Caption to add a caption to the table, and then choose a location for the caption from the menu.
  9. To apply a background image to the table, select BgImage and then reference an image in the text field.