Know how to span or un-span tables and cells in FrameMaker.
Introduction
Tables can span columns in multicolumn layouts, and their positions are sometimes affected by spanning paragraphs. Spanning does not affect the structure of a table and is not a format rule override.
Span a table across columns
To span a table across columns, do one of the following:
-
Anchor the table in a spanning paragraph. A table anchored in a spanning paragraph, always spans the full width of the text frame.
-
In case of structured documents, anchor the table in a paragraph element that’s formatted to span columns. If the table is wide enough, it spans the full column width. If it is not wide enough, the plane of the table nevertheless spans the full width.
Figure 1. A table anchored in a spanning paragraph
-
Extend the table width into a second column of the body area. If you want the table to span both the side-head area and the body area, extend it into the side-head area as well.
Figure 2. Spanning all columns and spanning the side-head area
Un-spanning a table
-
To un-span a table that’s anchored in a spanning paragraph or paragraph element, move the anchor to a non-spanning paragraph or non-spanning element.
-
To un-span a table that’s anchored in a spanning paragraph or paragraph element, resize the column widths of the table to fit in the text column.
Merge or split table cells
If you merge cells that have content, the content of those cells also merge. FrameMaker creates separate paragraphs for each merged cell.
Do one of the following:
-
Select the cells you want to merge, and choose .
-
Select the merged cell you want to split, and choose . The contents of the merged cell appear in the upper left new cell, not back in the original cells.