Creating & Editing Tables

Free InCopy Tutorial

Learn the steps to convert tabbed text into a table, create a table from scratch, and work effectively with tables, including selecting and reordering data.

This exercise is excerpted from past InCopy training materials and is compatible with InCopy updates through 2021. To learn current skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and graphic design, check out our graphic design classes in NYC and live online.

Creating & Editing Tables

Converting Tabbed Text into a Table

  1. Select the tabbed text.

  2. Go to Table > Convert Text to Table.

  3. A window will open showing some text to table conversion options. Just click OK.

  4. A new table should now be ready to style and edit.

Creating a Table from Scratch

  1. Put the text cursor type cursor edit text where you want to insert the table.

  2. Go to Table > Insert Table.

  3. Enter the number of desired Rows and Columns and click OK.

    NOTE: While Body Rows are normal rows, Header and Footer rows are special because they repeat each time the table appears. If a table flows from one text frame to another, the Header row will be at the top of each frame and the Footer row will be at the bottom of each table.

  4. Enter the desired content in the table cells.

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Tips for Working with Tables

  • To move between cells, you can hit Tab and Shift–Tab or use the arrow keys.

  • To select a column, position the cursor at the top of the column and when you see the down arrow table arrow select column click once to select the column.

  • To select a row, position the cursor at the left of the row and when you see the right arrow table arrow select row click once to select the row.

  • To select a table, position the cursor at the top left of the table and when you see the diagonal arrow table arrow select table click once to select the table.

  • With the cursor in a table cell, press Escape (Esc) to quickly select the table cell. Press Escape (Esc) again to select all the text inside the cell.

  • To reorder table data, select the row(s)/column(s) you want to move. Then hover anywhere except a border and when you see the drag and drop cursor table drag and drop cursor, drag the selection. Release the mouse when a blue line appears in the desired location, as shown below.

    table release mouse

photo of Dan Rodney

Dan Rodney

Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years. He creates coursework for Noble Desktop and teaches classes. In his spare time Dan also writes scripts for InDesign (Make Book JacketProper Fraction Pro, and more). Dan teaches just about anything web, video, or print related: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Figma, Adobe XD, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more.

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Master graphic design with hands-on training. Graphic design is the production of digital and print media that follows certain conventions of style, color, and typography to evoke a positive reaction from its viewers.

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