Tables are often used when you are designing brochures or company profiles. However, drawing a table can be quite tedious in Illustrator as there is no proper tool to draw tables. I will illustrate some workarounds to this problem and its pros and cons.
Method 1: The Old Method
The traditional method is to draw boxes and lines manually in illustrator. Next, you place your text inside the boxes. Aligning the text in the table fields is always very time consuming as you have to do all the spacing using your gut feeling.
Method 2: Using Area Type Options
Another way is to draw a text field and go Type>Area Type Options. You can setup your columns and rows there. Enter your value in the first table cell. Press Tab repeatedly until you reach until another table cell to enter the next value.
This method uses text flow, hence adjusting your table after you enter all your table data will make your text overflow into the next table cell. Not a good solution as it always drive you screaming…
Method 3: Using Microsoft Word
Yes, you can actually copy and paste tables to illustrator. Table lines will be converted to fills and text remains editable. Fast and easy way to draw simple tables.
Method 4: Using Indesign
By far the best method is to use indesign to draw you table and import it to illustrator. Simply copy and paste the table from indesign to illustrator. Your table lines, colors and text will still be editable. You can have total control of the padding, columns font and even create alternating colored background fields in indesign.
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I always use InDesign for Tables and I find it the best.
Very versatile tool where one can customize every element of the table.
I have’nt tried importing it in Illustrator (suggest you to write a tip).
Have you tried the new Adobe Illustrator CS4? Maybe there is a feature for table design? I have not looked at the new features of AICS4, yet. I am not thinking of upgrading to AICS4 right now.
I felt a little disappointed since your post doesn´t explain how to draw a table in Illustrator and I’m still wondering how to draw it, because I don’t have Word, and I’m not familiar with InDesign. Personally, I prefer to use the tab tool for spacing in rows and padding for columns. What about you?
Hi Kisan, simply copy and paste from indesign to illustrator will do the trick.
Hi Khawla, it seems that CS4 has implemented the table features.
Hi Cesar, I have updated the tip. Same like you, I use the Tab key or spacebar to do the spacing. Seems like no easier way out…
YOU NEED TO SHOW HOW TO MAKE A CALENDARS
Hey Tony, thanks for this article, using method 4 saved my life.
1: Draw a rectangle the size you need for the overall crossword, with a white fill and black stroke.
2: Go to Object > Path > Split into Grid
3: In the options dialog, change both gutters to 0, and enter the number of boxes you need horizontally and vertically.
4: Click OK, then select any squares you want to be black and colour them appropriately.
good
Thanks. You gave me another idea.
1)Create a table in OpenOffice (free!!!)
2)Export it as a PDF
3) Open the PDF with Illustrator
I did this using Illustrator 10 (old skool)
sir i want to know how can we measure the angle plz
how can i se in illustrator angle degre plz
how can i se angle in a circle in illustrator from 0 to 180
plz thanks
I can’t copy and paste from Indesign to Illustrator, nothing happens… I’m using CS3 -anyone else got this problem?
I exported as an eps and opened it up in Illustrator fine.. 🙂
So the solution to getting this Adobe product to work the way it should is … buy more Adobe products.
Awesome. Inkscape is looking better and better every day.
I tried copy and pasting from In Design. I’ve found that some of the text does not work and is converted to outlines. anyone else have this happen? Know a workaround?
Very nice 🙂 Thanks alot
I really like it whenever people come together and share
ideas. Great website, stick with it!
I leave a comment whenever I like a article on a site or I
have something to contribute to the discussion.
It is caused by the sincerness displayed in the post I read.
And on this article Illustrator Tip #17: 4 Methods of Drawing
Tables in Illustrator | Vector Diary. I was excited enough to drop a thought 😉 I actually do have 2
questions for you if you do not mind. Could it be only me or does it
seem like some of the remarks come across like left by brain dead individuals?
😛 And, if you are writing at other sites, I’d like to follow everything new you have to post. Would you make a list the complete urls of your community pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?