Can I use Word tables in InDesign? Any way to import tables made with Word?

[laurapopayan]

Hi, I'm new here...  Well, the title says it all: I need to use (basically unchanged) nearly 100 tables from a book made recently with Word... Can I import them?

It wouldn't be a problem making one new one (lines, etc...) with InDesign and then fill with text, but...  why repeat 100 different tables (that's my case) already done I can use without changes...  There must be a way to at least place a Word table into an ID document...  Thanks for all kinds of comments!

[Willi Adelberger]

Have you ever tried it?

[laurapopayan]

Yes...  After selecting the table in its original file in Word, I tried to copy it on my InDesign file: The table wasn't copied, but only the text, out of place...

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

Use file > place with show options and place the entire Word file.

[laurapopayan]

Wow, that worked.  Thank you, Bob...  Now I got the table in InDesign, just like the original one, but it's bigger than the page I use in InDesign because the original book in Word was wider... So these are the new questions: Should I make each table smaller in Word before placing them in InDesign? Or can I make them smaller inside InDesign?

[BobLevine]

You're going to need to to tweak in ID anyway so you might just as well do it there.

[laurapopayan]

OK, this looks like great news for me... So I understand ID places the Word table, and once inside ID, indeed ID sees it as a table you can vary... Is there any basic menu to vary one imported table, or is it a graphic (mouse) thing?  I really appreciate your advice, Bob...  I don't have much experience with tables in ID...  For example, how can I make the whole table smaller? Only by varying the placing of the lines one by one, or can I make it smaller in the way we make a jpg smaller?

[laurapopayan]

I see it will require to change positions line by line...  It's a great and fast option...  It's great ID recognizes Word tables... Thanks a lot for your help!

[dartoz]

thank you! it works!

[JulianLazaro]

You saved me hours of work thank you!

[kristinwilson]

Willi, if you don't have anything helpful to say why don't you just go ahead and not say anything? Of course she tried, and wasn't able to do it successfully — that's why she came here to ask for help. Troll.

[Obi-wan Kenobi]

Such comments infuriate me!

With 5,320 points on his account, I think Willi helps enough people here! ... And you!!! 

Moreover, He's absolutely right: everybody knows it's so much easier to ask a question rather than making oneself researches [InDesign documentation, Web, here on this forum).

As Gaston could say: "Yes, we can! M'enfin!" 

[Willi Adelberger]

Sorry, if a question doen't give any detailed Information what she tried or not and did not describe her Problem, I have to assume that she did not give any serious try. My question was to get more Information.

[BobLevine]

@kristinwilson May I draw your attention to the fact that you've replied to a 3-year old thread with absolutely nothing useful to add. I will also warn you that personal insults are a violation of the terms you agreed to. Don't do it again.

[Kelsey Todd]

@boblevine, you're a bully. 

[BobLevine]

Ah, my day wouldn't be complete without being insulted by an anonymous keyboard jockey on a 7-year old thread. It must be glorious to have absolutely nothing important to worry about.

[defaulthnfz3zergny6]

I don't think you are abully. Have a nice day man!