A table is a perfect format for certain types of data, including statistical information. The Editor not only lets you add and edit this document element in a quick and easy way, but also offers advanced customization options.

Creating a Table

To create a table, press the button on the toolbar. The Table Properties dialog window that opens lets you set the table size, its display properties, as well as other advanced properties.

The elements available for configuration are:

• Rows – the number of rows in the table (required).
• Columns – the number of columns in the table (required).
• Width – the width of the table in pixels or percentage. Changing the unit to percent allows you to set the proportion of the editing area that the table will occupy.
• Height – the height of the table in pixels.
• Headers – the drop-down list that formats certain table cells as headers, which then applies special formatting to them. You can apply header formatting to First Row, First Column or Both.
• Border size – the thickness of the table border in pixels.
• Alignment – the alignment of the table on the page. The following options are available: Left, Center, Right.
• Cell spacing – the space between individual cells as well as cells and table borders, in pixels.
• Cell padding – the space between the cell border and its contents, in pixels.
• Caption – specifies the title of your table. The title will appear in the top of the table.
• Summary – the summary of the table contents that is available for assistive devices, such as screen readers. The comment will not appear in the table.
   

Working With Tables

Once inserted into the document, the table can be modified. To edit the table, either double-click it, or open the table context menu by clicking on the border with the right mouse button.

To delete the whole table and its contents, use the Delete Table option. When you choose the Table Properties option, the dialog window of the same name will appear. It allows you to change the configuration options that were set when the table was created, except the number of rows and columns which are grayed out. Additionally the table context menu lets you modify the "Cell", "Row", and "Column". If you scroll your mouse cursor over one of these items, a new context menu will appear.

 
Cells

Below is an overview of all Cell context menu option elements: Insert Cell Before – inserts a new cell before the one that contains the cursor. Insert Cell After – inserts a new cell after the one that contains the cursor. Delete Cells – deletes a cell that contains the cursor. Merge Cells – merges multiple cells into one. This option is only available if two or more cells are selected. Split Cell Horizontally – splits the selected cell in two, creating a new cell on its right. The content of the cell appears in the original, left cell. This option is only available if no more than one cell is selected. Split Cell Vertically – splits the selected cell in two, creating a new cell below it. The content of the cell appears in the original, upper cell. This option is only available if no more than one cell is selected. Cell Properties – opens the Cell Properties dialog window that lets you configure cell size, type, color, and content alignment.

Cell Properties

Table cells can be further customized, creating a unique look and feel; various configuration options can be set in the Cell Properties dialog window that is opened from the table cell context menu.

Below is an overview of all Cell Properties dialog window elements:

• Width – the width of the cell in pixels or percentage. Changing the unit to percent allows you to set the proportion of the row that the cell (and the column it is located in) will occupy.
• Height – the height of the cell in pixels.
• Cell Type – the type of the table cell — either a normal data cell or a header cell with special formatting.
• Word Wrap – this setting turns word wrapping within the cell on or off.
• Rows Span – this setting stretches the cell downward over several rows. Entering a numeric value sets the rowspan attribute.
• Columns Span – this setting stretches the cell to the right over several columns. Entering a numeric value sets the colspan attribute.
• Horizontal Alignment – the horizontal alignment of table cell contents. The following options are available: Left, Center, Right.
• Vertical Alignment – the vertical alignment of table cell contents. The following options are available: Top, Middle, Bottom or Baseline.
• Background Color – the color of the cell background. You can use either of the following methods to set the color:
  • Enter the RGB value in the text box, in the rgb(nn, nn, nn) format, where nn is a numeric value on a scale from 0 to 255 representing the red, green, and blue channel.
  • Enter the hexadecimal RGB value in the text box, in the #nnnnnn format, where the n letters stand for the three pairs of hex color values representing the red, green, and blue channel.
  • Use the Choose button to open the Select color dialog window and select the color with your mouse.
• Border Color – the color of the cell border. You can use either of the following methods to set the color:
  • Enter the RGB value in the text box, in the rgb(nn, nn, nn) format, where nn is a numeric value on a scale from 0 to 255 representing the red, green, and blue channel.
  • Enter the hexadecimal RGB value in the text box, in the #nnnnnn format, where the n letters stand for the three pairs of hex color values representing the red, green, and blue channel.
  • Use the Choose button to open the Select color dialog window and select the color with your mouse.

Editing Table Rows

The table context menu lets you edit table rows. If you hover your mouse over the Row menu option, further options become available.

Insert Row Before – inserts a new row above the one that contains the cursor. Insert Row After – inserts a new row below the one that contains the cursor. Delete Rows – deletes a row that contains the cursor.

Editing Table Columns

The table context menu lets you edit table columns. If you hover your mouse over the Column menu option, further options become available.

Insert Column Before – inserts a new column before the one that contains the cursor. Insert Column After – inserts a new column after the one that contains the cursor. Delete Columns – deletes a column that contains the cursor.