Select the Type tool and place the insertion point where the table should appear.
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to use multiple methods to build tables from scratch, convert text, or import tables in Adobe InDesign.
You can create tables from scratch, convert existing text, or import them from Microsoft Word or Excel. It fills the text frame width and is inserted on the current line or the next, depending on the cursor position. Tables flow with text across threaded frames, but cannot appear on text-on-a-path frames.
Create using Insert Table
Select Table > Insert Table.
Select the number of Body Rows and Columns.
Adjust the header or footer rows if the table spans multiple frames.
Select a Table Style apart from the default style if required.
Select OK.
Create using Create Table
When you use the Create Table option to create a table, you don't need to first create a text frame in your document. As soon as you draw the table in the document, InDesign creates a text frame corresponding to the size of the table.
Select Table > Create Table.
Select the number of Body Rows and Columns.
Adjust the header or footer rows if the table spans multiple frames.
Select a Table Style apart from the default style if required.
Select OK.
Create from existing text
Convert structured text into a table by defining separators. If a row contains fewer entries than the defined columns, empty cells are added automatically.
Prepare the text by inserting separators between columns and rows, such as tabs, commas, or paragraph returns.
Select the text using the Type tool.
Select Table > Convert Text to Table.
Define column and row separators.
Select the Number of Columns if the same separator is used for both
Select a Table Style apart from the default style if required.
Select OK.
Import tables using Place
Import tables from Microsoft Word or Excel using the Place command for more control or the clipboard methods for quick transfer. Both preserve structure, support formatting, and remain editable after placement.
Select File > Place.
Select a Word document or Excel spreadsheet that contains a table.
Select Show Import Options, and then select the file.
Adjust the settings in the Import Options dialog box as needed and select OK.
Select anywhere in the document to place the table.
Tip
To maintain spreadsheet formatting or gain more control over how the table appears, use the Place command instead of pasting.
Paste content into an existing table
Insert the required rows and columns by selecting Table > Insert > Row or Column.
Select Edit > Preferences > Clipboard Handling or InDesign > Preferences > Clipboard Handling (macOS).
Select Text Only to paste unformatted tabbed text or All Information (Index Markers, Swatches, Styles, etc.) to paste a formatted table.
Select OK.
Place the insertion point in a cell or select a cell (unless you want to embed the table).
Copy the data from Excel or Word.
Select Edit > Paste.
Maintain links to source files
This procedure keeps a link to the original spreadsheet.
Select Edit > Preferences > File Handling.
Select Create Links When Placing Text and Spreadsheet Files and select OK.
Use File > Place to import the table.
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