Adobe InDesign CS3: Introducing Table and Cell Styles

During the lessons that follow, you will learn how to create and use Table and Cell styles in Adobe InDesign CS3 that will allow you to quickly apply formats from one Adobe InDesign CS3 table to another.

Create a Table Style

1. First, create and format a table to suit your tastes
2. Using the Type Tool, select all of the rows in the table
3. Choose Window > Type and Tables > Table Styles to display the Table Styles panel
4. With the entire table still selected, choose New Table Style from the flyout menu on the Table Styles panel

   

5. Give the style a name.

   Because you selected formatted table rows before creating the new Table Style, you will see that the information in the Style Settings area reflects your selection.

6. Click OK

   The Table Styles panel should now have one new Table Style. The style is not yet being used.

   

7. With the table rows still selected, click your new table style from the Table Styles panel to apply your new table style to the table on your page

Create a Cell Style

1. Using the Type Tool, click in a cell containing formatting you would like to use over and over
2. Choose Window > Type and Tables > Cell Styles to display the Cell Styles panel
3. With your insertion point still in the row, choose New Cell Style from the flyout menu on the Cell Styles panel
4. Give the new style a name

   Once again, because you selected a formatted table cell before creating the Cell Style, the information in the Style Settings area reflects your selection.



5. Click OK
6. Using the Type Tool, click in any table cell and select your new style from the Cell Styles panel

   The cell should instantly pick up the attributes contained in the cell style. In particular, the cell color should be dark green like the first row in the table.

   Note: If there is a plus sign to the right of the style name, you need to remove the style overrides (an override occurs when you are not using 100% of the formatting contained within a style). You can clear the overrides by selecting Clear Overrides from the Cell Styles panel flyout menu.

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