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Dougefresh091
Dougefresh091
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Adjusting Table Columns Individually?

Apr 5, 2012 12:55 PM

I fear I already know the answer to this question, and since I was unable to find a current definite answer I figured I'd ask...

 

I was forced to use Word 2011 today, and the document had a table. I noticed I could adjust columns individually(it's not pretty, but it works). Is it true that Word can do something Indesign can't? Say it ain't so!

 

Can you adjust table columns individually without affecting the whole table? I know you can hold shift, while adjusting but that sill affects the entire column. I usually merge, split, split, merge, ect... rinse, repeat.

 

I'm on a Mac running CS5. Has this been addressed in 5.5?

2504 Views   13 Replies   Latest reply: Manish-Sharma, Apr 5, 2012 2:25 PM
 
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  • Mary Posner
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    1. Mary Posner,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:10 PM   in reply to Dougefresh091
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    Help for CS5/5.5 says no:

     

    "Note:  You cannot create unequal column widths for columns in a text frame. Instead, created threaded, side-by-side text frames with different column widths."

     
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  • Mary Posner
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    2. Mary Posner,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:16 PM   in reply to Mary Posner
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    Sorry, I misread what you posted. Columns in a table can and often do have different widths and be easily resized. If you hold down the shift key while clicking on the edge of a column, you can move that without moving the rest of the table.

     
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  • Dougefresh091
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    3. Dougefresh091,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:30 PM   in reply to Mary Posner
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    Sorry, I actually meant resizing cells individually. Holding shift will move the whole column of cells at the same time.

     

    The 'me' column is split in half. But when the column divider is shifted it moves everything else above and below. I'm pretty sure it can't be done, but I guess I was just being hopeful.

    Screen shot 2012-04-05 at 4.27.28 PM.png

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    4. Peter Spier,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:38 PM   in reply to Dougefresh091
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    Only by adding another column and merging cells in odd ways.

     
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  • Manish-Sharma
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    5. Manish-Sharma,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:44 PM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    You can try this,

     

    Choose the Text tool and double click inside a cell, the insertion point will come within the cell,

     

    Now go to Tables>split cell vertically , this will split the cell and then you can move the centre line alone using "Shift key" ,

     

    merge the cells which is not required.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    6. Peter Spier,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:50 PM   in reply to Manish-Sharma
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    OH, much better. Can you tell I don't use tables if I can avoid them?

     

    I think that sthe split cell commands actually are adding columns or rows and merging cells othe than the one you split, but it's a heck of a lot easier to have it automated.

     
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  • Dougefresh091
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    7. Dougefresh091,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:52 PM   in reply to Manish-Sharma
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    Yeah, that's more or less what I've been doing. It's the best workaround I've found yet, but it gets pretty crazy on larger tables with lots of split columns. I have a bunch of applications I have to create soon, so I was just hoping... Anway, thanks for the answers.

     
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  • Manish-Sharma
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    8. Manish-Sharma,
    Apr 5, 2012 1:55 PM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    TRUE,,,,but I beleive thats what we got , I will post the feature request to Adobe to add more functionality and manuvering to the tables.

     

    however in Indesign I believe everything can be achieved by hook or crook , thats why I like it.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    9. Peter Spier,
    Apr 5, 2012 2:01 PM   in reply to Dougefresh091
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    Do you need features that can only be acieved by using tables, like cell strokes and fills? If not, tabbed text is a LOT more flexible and user friendly.

     
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  • Dougefresh091
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    10. Dougefresh091,
    Apr 5, 2012 2:06 PM   in reply to Manish-Sharma
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    Very true. I'd have to think long and hard about complaints I have with Indesign. Especially compared to Illy and Flash, the latter of which I could probably complain about all day. The table cell sizing is tolerable, and using another program is, in my opinion, not worth it.

     
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  • Dougefresh091
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    11. Dougefresh091,
    Apr 5, 2012 2:15 PM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    Well... hmm. Now that you mention it maybe I don't need to use tables. I'll have to see how that flies with the boss though. I usually only go the table route when I need to cram a lot of information on a single sheet of paper. It just seems to look neater in the end. 

     

    Michael Murphys 'form lines aside' technique using tabs and underlines is what I typically use when I'm making other forms and signature lines. It's pretty fantastic.

     

    Of course I'm always open to other suggestions and techniques if you're referring to a different method.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    12. Peter Spier,
    Apr 5, 2012 2:21 PM   in reply to Dougefresh091
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    I'm a big fan of tabs and underlines.

     
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  • Manish-Sharma
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    13. Manish-Sharma,
    Apr 5, 2012 2:25 PM   in reply to Dougefresh091
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    Gridify is the indesign obsure feature , which is very useful to multiple text box and give the effect like table when the gutter value is low , and as they are the text box its easy to mange them.

     

    http://indesignsecrets.com/cs5s-gridified-tools-adds-a-wrinkle-to-draw ing-starbursts-and-polygons.php

     

    http://indesignsecrets.com/forum/general-indesign-topics/gridify-gap

     

    will be helpful for a start however ther video as well online

     
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