Tables

The tables method creates editable tables in Illustrator, updates an existing managed table, or replaces tagged placeholder artwork with a table. Use it for price lists, specifications, schedules, and other repeated layouts driven by records.

The result contains text frames, cell backgrounds, and divider paths. It remains visible without Darty-Ai; managed resizing, source reloads, and structural changes require the plug-in. Tables are available in the current mainline product, not the LTS channel.

Start with the Table tool to configure a method or the Tables panel to edit document tables live. Sheet Builder combines tables with other methods.

Download the editable Illustrator example. The illustration was generated with the native plug-in; the sheet examples below show how to author records.

Editor controls

Captured from the running Darty-Ai extension in Illustrator.

Create or update

Put the tag search in the first header row of the method block. Use semantic tags such as product-specifications; avoid depending on a generated table ID when a reusable template tag will do.

Omitted properties normally preserve an existing table's settings. Supplying cells replaces its cell text; supplying ranges replaces the saved range-rule array. Test a long record followed by a short record when a table changes size.

Ways to enter table data

Choose the entry method that matches how you maintain the data: import a source spreadsheet, supply whole rows or columns, paste a text table, or put the entire table in one nested array. For a small change to an existing table, use an individual cell property such as cell[B3].

Victoria Plum example workbook

Download the Victoria Plum data-entry workbook (XLSX, 130 KB).

The workbook demonstrates seven ways to supply the same four-column nutrition table, including a merged title row and inline Markdown. The downloadable file is the supplied workbook, with all nine tabs intact. Browse its worksheet previews below; the cell contents are shown as authored, including quotes, Markdown, and line breaks.

Try a workbook tab

1. Download the workbook and load it in the Data tab. Select one of the numbered example worksheets. The source and Index tabs are supporting sheets, not method sheets.
2. Open an Illustrator document with a managed table or placeholder tagged table, matching the tag search in row 1. To create a separate table without a tag target, clear that search in a working copy of the example.
3. Preview the first record, which is worksheet row 5. Rows 1–4 hold the tag search, method name, properties, and column labels.
4. For 01 - XLSX path, retain the downloaded filename and keep the workbook available on disk. Its path starts with {{DATA}}, the folder containing the loaded local spreadsheet, and its sheetName selects the embedded source tab. If you rename or move the source, update the path. For 02 - Google Sheets, use an accessible Google Sheets URL or substitute your own in cell A5.

The Markdown tab contains 9,996 repeated records in rows 5–10,000. Preview only the first record to try the example; remove the repeated records in a working copy before running it as a single-record batch.

Rows, columns, and individual cells

The row and column tabs store each list in a single spreadsheet cell. For example, the value under row[2] is:

"Nutrient","**1 plum (~50 g)**","**100 g**","Notes"

Each quoted item becomes a cell across that table row. A column property uses the same list form, but fills downward. column[2] and column[B] address the same column; choose one notation rather than assigning both. The title occupies the first table row, so column lists include a first item for it, even when that item is empty.

To change just one value, use cell[B3] with literal text such as ~20 kcal. Row and column replacement can clear cells beyond the supplied list; individual cell properties leave the other cells alone.

A complete table in one cell

Markdown: the data cell in 06 - Markdown multiline contains the whole pipe table with real line breaks. Keep that text inside one spreadsheet cell. You can also use data for pasted CSV, TSV, or custom-delimited text; select the appropriate delimiter when automatic detection is insufficient.

Nested cells: 07 - Cells nested puts every row inside one cells array. This shortened example shows the structure; the workbook includes the title and all data rows:

[["Nutrient","1 plum (~50 g)","100 g","Notes"],["Energy","~20 kcal","39 kcal","Low-calorie fresh fruit"]]

All seven examples enable parseMarkdown so **bold** and _italic_ markup can style cell text. The file and Google Sheets examples also enable preserveSourceFormatting. The row, column, Markdown, and nested-array tabs explicitly merge the title across four columns using:

[{"row":1,"column":1,"rowSpan":1,"columnSpan":4}]

For other local source formats, path also accepts XLSM, ODS, CSV, TSV, text, and Markdown. Use range to import only part of a source sheet. The Table tool lets you configure sources visually, while the Tables panel supports live cell editing and source reloads.

Cell data and sources

Indexes and addresses are one-based: the first cell is A1. For straightforward sheets, use nested cells or A1 cell properties rather than alternate coordinate spellings.

Without explicit dimensions, data edits can trim empty trailing bands. trim:true also removes leading empty bands, after source expansion and dimension padding. 0 and false count as content. An entirely blank trimmed table retains one cell.

Layout and fitting

Lengths below are in points. Use the editor's unit controls when authoring visually.

Formatting the whole table or a range

Use the editor to build formatting rules, then inspect its generated columns. Store fixed styling in the template table and supply only changing content in production records.

Number rules from 1: range[1]group, range[1]fillColor, range[2]range, and so on. Table-wide groups are applied first; later explicit rules override earlier rules. Odd/even body-row counting starts after the header. Semantic groups adapt as the table changes size.

For multiple fills, strokes, gradients, or effects, use the Fill & Borders workbench. Its indexed paint properties follow the Appearance model, including range[1]fill[1]... and range[1]stroke[1]....

Merges, artwork, and identity

Use the panel's structural controls to insert/delete rows and columns, distribute sizes, merge, unmerge, or split cells. For reusable spreadsheet structures, Save Table writes the needed properties, including merges and attachment definitions. Referenced artwork, fonts, and swatches must still be available when rebuilding.

Example: a styled stock table

The first four rows are the tag search, method, properties/defaults, and column labels. The fifth row is one record; the complete nested array belongs in one spreadsheet cell.

Download the stock-table CSV. Tag a placeholder or managed table table-1, then load the CSV in Builder or Data and preview the record. To create a new table without a tag target, clear the first header cell. For an existing template table, use its tag and omit fixed formatting columns.

See Tables panel for source reloads, live edits, saved styles, and HTML export.