June 5, 2025 (Updated April 19, 2026)Dan Rodney/2 min read

Creating & Editing Tables

InCopy Editing Checklist

0/4

Respect copy fit

InCopy shows when you're over or under the layout's text limit.

Use paragraph styles

Apply the same styles InDesign defines — don't override locally.

Track changes if needed

Editorial review with redlines visible to both apps.

Add notes for the designer

Use Notes panel for layout requests.

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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.

Creating & Editing Tables

Converting Tabbed Text into a Table

Select the tabbed text.
Go to Table > Convert Text to Table.
A window will open showing some text to table conversion options. Just click OK.
A new table should now be ready to style and edit.

Creating a Table from Scratch

Put the text cursor where you want to insert the table.
Go to Table > Insert Table.
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.
Enter the desired content in the table cells.

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 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 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 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 , drag the selection. Release the mouse when a blue line appears in the desired location, as shown below.