Scripts to Remove Empty Table Cells in Data Merge Fail with Errors

Forum|Forum|2 days ago
June 25, 2026
4 replies
32 views

I am using a data merge for a brochure I am working on. In the brochure there are tables, I would like to remove any cells which are empty by using a script. I have found several online and added them into the script folder (not all at the same time), however I get an error every time. Can anyone help - please?

Correct answer Manan Joshi

Looking at the error it seems you have not saved the script properly and it is saved as an Rtf document. Try the following code

var rowToRemove = [], row;
    var tables = app.documents[0].stories.everyItem().tables;
    for(var i = 0; i < tables.length; i++) {
        for(var j = 0; j < tables[i].rows.length; j++) {
            row = tables[i].rows[j];
            if(row.cells.everyItem().contents.join("") == "")
                rowToRemove.push(row);
        }
    }
    for(var i = 0; i < rowToRemove.length; i++)
        rowToRemove[i].remove();

Follow https://creativepro.com/how-to-install-a-script-in-indesign-that-you-found-in-a-forum-or-blog-post/ article to properly save the script and execute it. Maybe that is all you need with your current script

S

susanf61694280Author

Participating Frequently

Thank you. It works perfectly now.

M

Manan Joshi

Community Expert

So what was it? Was it a problem with the saving of your script or did you need the code that I gave?

-Manan

S

susanf61694280Author

Participating Frequently

In TextEdit, I formatted as Plain text. Saved it as txt file and then renamed to .jsx and it worked. It was the saving of the script. Thank you for your help

S

susanf61694280Author

Participating Frequently

This is the error I receive

M

Manan Joshi

Correct answer

Community Expert

Looking at the error it seems you have not saved the script properly and it is saved as an Rtf document. Try the following code

var rowToRemove = [], row;
    var tables = app.documents[0].stories.everyItem().tables;
    for(var i = 0; i < tables.length; i++) {
        for(var j = 0; j < tables[i].rows.length; j++) {
            row = tables[i].rows[j];
            if(row.cells.everyItem().contents.join("") == "")
                rowToRemove.push(row);
        }
    }
    for(var i = 0; i < rowToRemove.length; i++)
        rowToRemove[i].remove();

Follow https://creativepro.com/how-to-install-a-script-in-indesign-that-you-found-in-a-forum-or-blog-post/ article to properly save the script and execute it. Maybe that is all you need with your current script

-Manan

S

susanf61694280Author

Participating Frequently

These pages are of the same product but different countries take different versions so the table on the reverse which lists the SKU some have 1 product and some 2. Where there is only 1 product I would like the second row of cells to be removed. Hopefully it will make sense when you see the files? The script is in the InDesign file but also sent a word document with the script

Community Expert

Remove cell would mean what exactly? And share the script and the document and the error only then will we be able to guide you

-Manan