How to Keep Tables and Outline Fonts with InDesign

InDesign CS3 is a graphic design program used to create various types of document layouts, from business cards to newsletters, brochures, posters, and business documents. Those who use a lot of tables in their documents will find that InDesign CS3 provides an easy way to manage and create them. With some elements similar to Adobe Illustrator, InDesign CS3 also makes it simple to convert fonts to outlines and manipulate text.

Instructions

How to Keep Tables with InDesign CS3

1. Open InDesign CS3 and your document. Create tables by importing an existing Microsoft Excel document, or create a table yourself from scratch.

2. Create your own table by selecting the "Text Tool" (the fourth tool down in the toolbar that looks like a "T"). Draw a text box and select "Table" and "Insert Table" along the top bar. Set how many columns and rows you want, as well as header and footer rows, and click "OK."

3. Import an Excel table by drawing a text box. Select "File" and "Place" (or hold down the "Ctrl" and "D" keys). Find your Excel document and check "Show Import Options." Select "Open" and change "Table" under "Formatting" to "Formatted Table." Press "OK." Tables will appear in InDesign if given outlines in Excel.

4. Edit tables to give them a professional appearance. Select "Window," "Type and Tables" and "Table" to open the general editing window along the right side of InDesign. Here, you can change the number of rows or columns, turn text sideways or upside down and more.

5. Type in information within each cell. All editing of tables must be done with the "Text Tool" selected. Lengthen cells horizontally or vertically by placing the cursor on the line and dragging it over or up and down.

6. Select "Table" along the top and "Table Options." Under "Table Setup" you can make or change the outer border. Always check the "Preview" box. Under "Row Strokes" and "Column Strokes," change the table's vertical and horizontal lines and give them color. Use "Fills" to color rows or columns.

7. Click within an individual cell and select "Table" under the top bar and "Cell Options" to perform other edits. Under these tabs, you can color individual cells, thicken a box, "X" out a cell and more.

8. Click within a row or column to add more. Select "Table" at the top bar and "Insert," "Row" or "Column." Place the new row or column before or after.

9. Click within a row or column you want deleted. Select "Table" along the top bar and "Delete," "Row" or "Column." Section cells by selecting "Table" and "Split Cell Horizontally" or "Split Cell Vertically."

Outlining Fonts

1. Outline fonts in InDesign CS3 to manipulate text. This changes the letters to graphic images.

2. Highlight the letter or words you want to outline and select "Type" along the top bar and "Create Outlines."

3. Choose the second tool down (the outlined arrow which is the "Direct Selection Tool") to edit the shape of the font. Click on the outlined text and move the white boxes to manipulate.

4. Click within the outlined text with the "Text Tool" and any words that are typed will be placed within the confines of the outlined letter or word.

5. Copy an imported image from your document or Photoshop by right clicking on the image and selecting "Copy" or selecting "Edit" and "Copy" at the top bar. Select the outlined text with the top arrow tool in the InDesign toolbar, right click and select "Paste Into." The image will import within the shape of the outlined text.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not outline small text or whole paragraphs. Embed fonts instead before printing. Create outlines to manipulate large text for cool graphic effects.

References

• Washington State University Avery Microcomputer Lab: InDesign CS3
• Adobe InDesign CS3: Create Paths from Text Outlines