Discover the step-by-step guide to efficiently import tables from both Excel and Word documents, including how to manage and style the imported tables to fit your needs.
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.
Importing Tables
Importing Tables from an Excel Document
Put the text cursor
where you want to insert the table.Go to File > Place.
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In the dialog that opens:
- At the bottom, check on Show Import Options (you may have to click the Options button to see it).
- Select an Excel file and click Open.
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As shown in the screenshot below, in the options that appear you can choose how you want the table to look:
Formatted Table: Maintains Excel’s formatting as close as possible Unformatted Table: Removes Excel’s formatting and makes a clean table Unformatted Tabbed Text: Converts the table into Tabbed text 
Click OK and the table should now be ready to style and edit.
Importing Tables from a Word Document
Put the text cursor
where you want to insert the table.Go to File > Place.
Click once on a Word file to select it.
If you want to see options to control which Word formatting comes through, check Show Import Options at the bottom of the window (you may have to click the Options button to see it).
Click Open.
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If you checked Show Import Options earlier, an options window will be displayed. You must decide whether to keep or remove the formatting that was applied in Word. Follow the appropriate directions below.
To strip out the formatting: Select Remove Styles and Formatting. To maintain the formatting: Select Preserve Styles and Formatting. Click OK when done.
The table should now be ready to style and edit.
