Skip to main content
A
ASCWriter
Participating Frequently
October 17, 2013
Answered

Is it possible to add a table within a table and how to do this?

  • October 17, 2013
  • 3 replies
  • 1423 views

I have created an If/Then table and I want to insert another table containing steps within this larger table.   See attached image.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bob_Niland

    Plan B:

    Create the initial table so that it has all the rows and columns needed for the main table and the subtable(s).

    Use Straddles to merge the excess rows and columns outside the subtable.

    Note: You may not like this answer either.

    Plan C:

    Do the subtable in a spreadsheet.
    Export selection to PDF.

    Import as graphic object in a main table cell.

    Plan D:

    Submit enhancement request to Adobe.

    Twiddle thumbs until it is released.

    Brush off cobwebs.

    Insert table inside table ... how hard could it be?

    3 replies

    P
    peter minneapolis
    Participating Frequently
    October 17, 2013

    If you decide to follow error7103's plan D, and submit a formal feature enhancement request here: ADOBE WISHFORM, your request might get a little extra traction if you annoy theose folks with the comment that InDesign has had nested table ability for quite awhile, and compliment the FM folks that FM tables have many table features that ID only wishes it had now.<G>

    [EDIT] However, perhaps you won't want to keep cell borders between the rows in your final table. in that case, you can enter steps in the large (tall) cells and create steps with auto-numbered or bulleted paragraph formats in the adjacent (right-hand) cells. [/EDIT]

    HTH

    Regards,

    Peter Gold

    KnowHow ProServices

    ASCWriter wrote:

    I have created an If/Then table and I want to insert another table containing steps within this larger table.   See attached image.table within a table.png

    Message was edited by: peter at knowhowpro

    A
    ASCWriterAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 17, 2013

    Feature request entered!  Thanks for the tips Peter.

    P
    peter minneapolis
    Participating Frequently
    October 17, 2013

    I overlooked suggesting that you can emulate table row ruling with FM's frame below paragraph format property. Search Google for terms like "framemaker frame below above paragraph," and "framemaker frames on reference pages," without quotes for details.

    This wold relieve the need to resize the text frame that contains the sub table, and to merge cells for new rows.

    You'll still have the limitation that tall rows won't split across frame, column, or page boundaries.

    HTH

    Regards,

    Peter Gold

    KnowHow ProServices

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 17, 2013

    Plan B:

    Create the initial table so that it has all the rows and columns needed for the main table and the subtable(s).

    Use Straddles to merge the excess rows and columns outside the subtable.

    Note: You may not like this answer either.

    Plan C:

    Do the subtable in a spreadsheet.
    Export selection to PDF.

    Import as graphic object in a main table cell.

    Plan D:

    Submit enhancement request to Adobe.

    Twiddle thumbs until it is released.

    Brush off cobwebs.

    Insert table inside table ... how hard could it be?

    A
    ASCWriterAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 17, 2013

    Plan B was best for my situation as it was easier to "grow" the sub- table as each step was added.   As mentioned in my reply to Matt, I prefer the look of the sub-table when built inside a text box but Plan B was more functional in my case.   Still with this procedure, I had to continually straddle columns and rows to get the "look" I wanted. 

    So, in either case,  Plan D is a must!- submit a request to enhance the table option to allow users to build tables within tables.   Love the humour too!!

    Thank-you to both of your for your help!

    Matt-Tech Comm Tools
    Community Expert
    Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 17, 2013

    Insert an anchored frame at that point in the table, place a text frame into the anchored frame, and insert a table into the text frame...

    Note: I didn't promise you'd like the answer...

    -Matt

    Matt R. Sullivan

    co-author Publishing Fundamentals: Unstructured FrameMaker 11

    -Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
    A
    ASCWriterAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 17, 2013

    Both your reply and the reply from error 7103 Plan B are correct or my situation -  but I could not mark both as correct.  In my case, the sub-table had to keep growing as I added  steps.  When the sub-table grew to the end of the text box, I had to continually re-size my text box to fit the new rows.  Sometimes the table would disappear until I saved the document.  Once saved the table re-appeared.  Having said this, I prefer the look of the sub-table using your suggestion, therefore, I believe this procedure works best on tables that are a consistent size. 

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices