add divider under rows?

[qing_3274]

Hello, in InDesign, how can i add divider line (maybe 2pt weight line) between rows instead of these  empty rows? i don't see the option in table options, please help. Thank you.

[Peter Spier · Accepted solution]

Add a stroke to either the bottom of the cells in one row, or to the top of the cells in the next, or both...

[qing_3274]

do you have any suggetions that in these cases in the future, should i add empty row or add stroke? which way is more like a best practice?

if add stroke to cell, shoud i create a cell stye for it? any suggetsions? thank you so much.

[Peter Spier · Accepted solution]

Personally, I would use a cell style. An empty row could move to the next page if the table splits across pages and you might not want to start withthat at the top of the page.

[qing_3274]

wow thank you so much!!!! your suggestions are really helpful!

by the way, do you have a good table style/cell style tutorial to recommend? (it's ok if you don't have one, i will try to find one, i just like to hear what expert's suggestions.)

[Peter Spier]

I'm afraid I don't. In all honesty tables are my least favorite thing to work with in InDesign.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS · Accepted solution]

Also, empty rows are not allowed in accessible documents, so best to avoid them completely. 

PS: I LOVE working with tables in InDesign! 😁

[qing_3274]

You are amazing!!! wow i leanrend new thing  today! next time i won't do empty row anymore😊, thank you!

and could you please help me to check the process? 

1. Create paragraph style: "table body style"
2. Create  paragraph style: "table header style"
3. Create  cell style: "table body style" (base on step 1)
4. Create  cell style: "table header style" (base on step 2)
5. Create  cell style: "divider cell style", (add stroke under single cell, base on step 3)

Then whenever i need to apply the divider, i click the cell style i created on step 5.

Is this the right approach? 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Sounds good so far.

I usually create three body styles: Table_Body_L, Table_Body_C, and Table_Body_R (with LtoR alignment). If I have two header rows that have different specs, I use: Table_Head_R1 and Table_Head_R2.

I don't bother to lable the Cell styles "Table" since they can't be used anywhere else, so it's redundant. I create cell styles that link to the 3 body and 3 header styles.

I link all the normal styles together in a Table style. 

I create special Cell styles such as 1_SectionDivider. Again, I don't bother adding "cell style" since that is redundant. (The 1_ puts it at the top of the pile when I sort by name. I know I can use folders, but this is easier for me.)