Override table style

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to apply local formatting changes to table and cell styles in Adobe InDesign without changing the original style.

Override table and cell styles in InDesign to apply local formatting changes without modifying the original style. Overrides allow specific formatting changes while preserving the applied style.

Apply formatting to create an override

Select Window > Styles > Cell Styles or Table Styles

Select the Table tab.

Select the panel menu  icon, then select Table Options > Table Setup or Cell Options > Text.

Modify the formatting in the Table Options or Cell Options panel.

Select OK.

Clear overrides while applying a table style

Select Window > Styles > Cell Styles or Table Styles

Choose a table or cell with overrides.

Select Clear overrides in selection icon or hold Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) and select the style.

To apply a table style and remove both cell styles and overrides, hold Alt+Shift (Windows) or Option+Shift (macOS) as you select the style in the panel.

Break the link between formatting and styles

Select Window > Styles > Cell Styles or Table Styles

Choose a table or cell.

Select the panel menu  icon, then select Break Link to Style.