Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
September 20, 2011
Answered

What is the best way to create tables in Illustrator cs5

  • September 20, 2011
  • 7 replies
  • 81124 views

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on making a project board for a printer. It needs to have rows and colums so that a project can be tracked and assigned on a day by day basis. I figured I would just creat a table for this. Is there a good way to create tables in Illustrator cs5?

      Correct answer JETalmage

      …however the company printing the sign…

      It sounds like you are trying to describe a file for the production of an actual, physical board (a sign); not a data table containing data, and the respondents so far are assuming you are working on a data table that will be printed (on paper).

      In other words, it sounds like you just need a vector file for production of a physical sign, the graphics of which is just a labeled grid. For example, the result would be a conference-room whiteboard with sign vinyl applied to it to provide the title, column heads, and a grid. The users would manually write the data values using dry-erase markers.

      If that is, in fact, what you are trying to describe, then Illustrator would be an appropriate tool for creating the artwork file. Read about the Grid Tool in online help. Set the text for the column/row titles. Convert the text to paths; use the Object>Paths>OutlineStroke command on the grid. Use the Pathfinder Add command to union the outlined paths into a single compound path to eliminate unwanted cross-cuts in the vinyl results.

      JET

      7 replies

      L
      Lenniott
      Participant
      February 23, 2022

      I have built a script that can create tables in illustrator, though unsure if it will work on cs5.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HDY3C3Sww8 here is a video of it

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 23, 2022

        This is so awesome, thanks a lot for posting @Lenniott 

         

        Unfortunately I can't get it to work. I was suspecting the CSV, since I'm using the German Mac version, which has been causing issues in the past because of formatting. But now even a CSV generated by Google Docs doesn't work.

        It just created one grey box in Illustrator and I can't figure out why this is happening.

         

        Do you perhaps have a test CSV or a documentation of how it needs to be formatted (commas, LF/CR etc.)

        And also what needs to be entered in the dialog box and how it needs to match the table?

        THank you.

        L
        Lenniott
        Participant
        February 25, 2022

        So I've done some test, it seems it doesn't like empty cells, or too many columns or rows more, it just takes a bit of time, I think it's my amateur coding will have to do an updated version at some point... I need to do more stress testing next time before I publish it seems lol.

        A
        Anonymous
        August 16, 2012

        1. Copy Excel table and paste in illustrator  and Clipping Mask ->  Release
        2. Ungroup!  Group or may not be released, so please ungroup twice.

        3. Excute javascript.

        * Document mode must be CMYK.

        * All Layer On & Unlock!

        * Excel table as shown above the line must be black in color.

        http://uadream0.blog.me/70144704771 <--- javascript download blog

        B
        bicameral2
        Participating Frequently
        July 30, 2012

        Also,

        I've used the grid tool in AI then used the form tool in Acrobat to create form fields for simple tables.  Obviously PDF forms are more limited than OO Xcalc or Excel tables, but it's another way to use the PDF fomat to make distributable forms.  i've created a couple of cool invoices this way for my business, and a few forms/internal memos for work (Art Direction) that include imagery that is regularly updated and easier to work with in AI.

        Jacob Bugge
        Community Expert
        Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 13, 2012

          G
          gorillamilk93
          Participant
          June 13, 2012

          Surprisingly going from Excel to AI works great. Just set up the table as good as you can in Excel and just copy and paste into illustrator. Even the text stays editable... per line, but still editable.

            JETalmage
            JETalmageCorrect answer
            Inspiring
            September 22, 2011

            …however the company printing the sign…

            It sounds like you are trying to describe a file for the production of an actual, physical board (a sign); not a data table containing data, and the respondents so far are assuming you are working on a data table that will be printed (on paper).

            In other words, it sounds like you just need a vector file for production of a physical sign, the graphics of which is just a labeled grid. For example, the result would be a conference-room whiteboard with sign vinyl applied to it to provide the title, column heads, and a grid. The users would manually write the data values using dry-erase markers.

            If that is, in fact, what you are trying to describe, then Illustrator would be an appropriate tool for creating the artwork file. Read about the Grid Tool in online help. Set the text for the column/row titles. Convert the text to paths; use the Object>Paths>OutlineStroke command on the grid. Use the Pathfinder Add command to union the outlined paths into a single compound path to eliminate unwanted cross-cuts in the vinyl results.

            JET

              A
              Anonymous
              September 22, 2011

              Thanks Jet you hit the nail on the head. That is what I am attempting to do. I think this will work for me

              For any one fallowing this discussion this is the correct answer. I missed marked the previous answer as correct.

                W
                Wade_Zimmerman1
                Inspiring
                September 22, 2011

                Unfortunately you cannot change that but you can mark James' post as helpful and perhaps someone will note it.

                I think we all misread your post and James was the only one that read it correctly.

                Monika Gause
                Community Expert
                Monika GauseCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                September 20, 2011

                The best way is not to use Illustrator for that kind of job.

                Looks like Excel could be suited better. Or even InDesign, which can do real tables.

                A
                Anonymous
                September 21, 2011

                Thanks Monika. I was thinking of using indesign however the company printing the sign has requested the file be a vector file prefferably .AI. Is there a way to some how export a INdesign table into a  ai.?

                  Monika Gause
                  Community Expert
                  Monika GauseCommunity Expert
                  Community Expert
                  September 21, 2011

                  InDesign makes vector files. You can hand them an INDD-file if they need to edit it (and have InDesign) or you can export a PDF for viewing and printing.

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