how to make a 2-column table

Hi Brian,

currently it seems that you are working with a 4-column table where column 3 is continuing contents of column 1 and column 4 is continuing contents of column 2. As Eugene already stated this and I agree:

Then either has a text frame with 2 columns - or use the split/span feature.

Option 1

Text frame with two columns. Table with 66 rows and two columns.

Do a new table with two columns and 66 rows in a two column text frame.

Text frames can have columns as well. You can do that with the Text Frame Options dialog.

From my German InDesign:

Insert new table with 66 rows:

Done. To illustrate the flow of the table rows through the two column text frame I inserted auto numbering with a simple blank as contents in every cell. Watch the Story Editor window where I collapsed the table to its simple special character:

Now select the cells of column 1 and column 2 of your old table, copy them to the clipboard, select the first cell in your new table and paste. Next step: Select all cells in columns 3 and 4 of your old table, copy to the clipboard, select the first cell in row 34 of your new table and paste. That will transfer all information to the new table.

The main issue left is to add a table head outside of the table.

Eugene described how to do that.

Option 1

Text frame with just one column. Table with 66 rows and two columns.

Table sits in its own paragraph. Paragraph is using formatting: Split Paragraph to two columns.

Table options are done with Space Before set to value 0.

Some screenshots from my German InDesign.

Split Paragraph to 2 columns. Note: I selected the special character that is holding the whole table in that paragraph.

You could select the paragraph sign as well or just an insertion point in the same paragraph the table is in.

Key for this to work:

The table has to be in its own paragraph.

Also set Space Before Table to zero.

You can do this if you select the table and then invoke the Table Options in the layout.

Result after I adjusted the height of the text frame and did some space after in the paragraph that should be the table header:

In both options the table header has to be created outside of the table.

A table footer, if there is any, as well.

What to suggest? Option 1 or option 2 ?

The longer I think of it I'd do option 2.

At any rate if this table is part of a longer story where the story flows through several text frames.

Regards,
Uwe

Either have a 2 column text frame or use the Span Split Column Feature

Your setup is 1 - desired setup is 2 and 3 is the finished (see additional note on this)

1. You have 4 columns for example.

2. You need this to be in 2 columns

3. Is with Split Column feature

Your table sits in a pargarph in the text frame - hight the paragraph hosting the table

Select the paragraph with your table in in it

Additional note

It's uneven

Go to the Table Options

Now it's even!