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why_zzz
Participant
January 5, 2017
Answered

Scaling Tables

  • January 5, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 21273 views

I'm using InDesign CC 2015. I am having issues scaling tables.

In previous versions of InDesign, I have scaled tables in two ways:

The first and the one I use most often... I'd select the table (i.e. the text box which the table is inside) using the Selection Tool, hold Command + Shift keys while dragging the corner and the table will scale in proportion to the desired size I'd like.

The second method... I'd select the table (i.e. the text box which the table is inside) using the Selection Tool, while still selected, change to the Scale Tool and double click the Scale Tool icon in the Tool palette to bring up the Scale palette... here I would input the percentage I'd like to scale the table and the table will scale in proportion to the desired size.

When I do any of the above two methods using InDesign CC 2015, NO SCALING happens.

I've found a work around by exporting the file to .idml opening the .idml in an older version of InDesign, scaling the table(s), saving the file, and opening the file in InDesign CC 2015 and continue working.

Can anyone suggest anything to avoid me going between versions of InDesign

    Correct answer Eternal Warrior

    Recommend that you use the Type tool to scale the table. The Frame itself won't scale with it until you set a object style for a table.

    If however you set the object style> Frame Fitting> to auto fit and also under Text Frame Auto Size Options> set auto sizing to height and width when you use the type tool to scale the table the frame should then scale with it.

    NOTE: Tested this in latest version of InDesign and works perfectly.

    3 replies

    Participant
    July 15, 2025

    Use the scale tool.

    Eternal Warrior
    Eternal WarriorCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    January 5, 2017

    Recommend that you use the Type tool to scale the table. The Frame itself won't scale with it until you set a object style for a table.

    If however you set the object style> Frame Fitting> to auto fit and also under Text Frame Auto Size Options> set auto sizing to height and width when you use the type tool to scale the table the frame should then scale with it.

    NOTE: Tested this in latest version of InDesign and works perfectly.

    kai*smith
    Known Participant
    April 11, 2017

    Hello! I'm very new to InDesign, and I'm wanting to resize tables (with text boxes) to fit multiple page sizes. Some have suggested that I use liquid layout, but I think that's a lot more complicated than it has to be for the simplicity of what I need to resize. Your recommendation seems like it would work for me, but I can't quite figure out how to follow your commands. Could you please try to explain it to someone who is more of a novice to this software? Thank you in advance!

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 12, 2017
    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    Community Expert
    January 5, 2017

    Hi,

    I think we already had that problem discussed.

    See this thread here:

    Scaling text box isn't scaling the table cell inset

    My workaround in answer 11 then:

    Re: Scaling text box isn't scaling the table cell inset

    I cannot tell if this workaround will apply in your situation.

    Your workaround however:

    1. Export to IDML

    2. Do the changes with an earlier version ( I suppose InDesign CS6 )

    3. and open the older version document with CC 2015

    is a very good one.

    Regards,
    Uwe

    Eternal Warrior
    Inspiring
    January 5, 2017

    Good answers and useful for me - but I think he just wanted to scale like you would any frame - in which case my method should work on a lot of versions of InDesign.