Leader Dots Inside Table Cell

Software
#1

Hi,

Using InDesign 2023.

I am working on a price list (18in x 24in). The client said do what you want when I asked if she wanted leaders, so I opted out. Now, after the proof she wants them. Is it possible to add them inside a table cell, or will I have to convert the table to text? Any help much appreciated.

-ar

BHampton_07
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#2

You can insert a tab in a table cell using Rt-Click > Insert Special Character > Other > Tab

But, that tab won’t show up in the Tabs ruler utility when called up, so you won’t be able to apply a leader there via the normal tab-based method (or at least I’ve never found a way).

What you can do is, after inserting the tab, select it and apply a custom underline, dotted, of the desired weight and offset. Make it a Character Style and assign a shortcut to speed up application.

#3

Add the tab leader to a paragraph style.

It will show up there.

Hopefully… not at the computer right now.

Better is a right indent tab to align to the far right

#4

OMG, Insert Special Character (made a shortcut) helped but instead of doing an underline I was able to use the Tab Ruler; except, I have to manually add the right align. It’s a really weird process but it is working…going cell by cell and deleting all the spaces is very labor intensive though.

Thanks!

#5

Yeah, that works.

Set up the style outside the table, then apply it to the text in the cells. You’ll still have to insert or paste the tab there.

#6

you should be able to use GREP to replace your existing " | " and replace it with a right indent tab. Then it’s just a matter of “change all” in find/change.

#7

Craig beat me to it…

1 Like
#8

Technically you don’t need GREP. I misspoke. You can use the standard “text” tab in Find/Change dialogue box.

#9

The Find & Replace helped, the only problem is that there are two spaces before/after each | so there is still some labor involved but a lot less. Super thanks!!

#10

you can add all of that in find and change, just add two spaces, then |, then two spaces.

#11

Yes, thanks did that! I’ve only ever used Find/Replace for text. I thought I would have to use GREP which makes me anxious.