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How to fit text to table cells

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    • #96398

      Hello, everyone.
      I’m working on a file full of tables with fixed-sized cells, which would be filled with text with various lengths. The same file would be created multiple times each month, with different content. The font size cannot be changed, so what I usually do, is change scaling(slightly) or tracking.
      I’m not really a fan of repeated manual work, so I was wondering if there was a way to automatically fit text to cells.
      Any and all ideas are appreciated

    • #96404

      Hi,

      I’m not a fan of scaling or tracking. It is always better to shorten the text, than to scale something :)

      However:
      This is only possible with a (paid) script: The script assumes, that the whole cell is overflowing and can then scale or track the contents, until the cell is not overflowing. This is dangerous, cause it can destroy your text …

      Kai

      • #96412

        Thank you, Kai
        I agree that shortening the text is always better, but the text in each cell is usually no longer than a word or two, so there really isn’t any thing I can do there.
        Is there such a script available? If there is, could you share the link?

    • #96413

      I’m not aware of such a script. It must be written.

      • #96447

        Hi Kai,

        Done! I’ll post tonight a video on YouTube as some people like them a lot here! …

        (^/) ;-)

    • #96414

      This is really an editorial problem. You have cells and type of a fixed size. The writers should be given a character count and told not to exceed it. I would accept tracking no more than 20/1000 em, and that rarely. On the other hand, if you are dealing with the official names of companies or something similar that cannot shortened, and overset happens commonly, those responsible for the design need to consider modifications. I would track the frequency and report.

      • #96425

        You are right, this is really an editorial problem. But, what I’m dealing with is a kind of crossword puzzle with clues inside the cells. The magazine is published three times a month and with at least 30 pages each time. So, you’d agree that the size of the tables cannot be changed, and as there is a finite number of words(or clues for that matter) with a specific character count, after a while the designers have no choice but to use longer clues. Hence my problem…

    • #96620

      If you want to play it on:

      all the doc;
      a story;
      a text frame;
      a selection text including table(s);
      a sinle table;
      a part of a table;
      a single cell;

      [includes “Undo”], this script is for you! [not for free!] …

      [Its little sister: “Increase the cell width to remove its content overset” exists and works in the same way!!]

      Enjoy! ;-)

      From FRIdNGE!

      (^/)

      • #96900

        I watched the video, Thanks.

        I did some research on scripts myself and wrote one that does this, along with some other things.

    • #96902

      By curiosity, could you tell us where you have found informations about such features?

      (^/)

      • #96914

        By “such features” do you mean the (.overflows) property? I found that by going through the object browser. From there it was mostly trial and error. I also read Adobe’s scripting guide and tutorial(along with some posts and topics here) which helped with the rest.
        After determining the overflowing cells, it was only a matter of reducing the horizontal scale of the text in it.

    • #96921

      I think it would have been really more simple to type:

      “overset text in table”

      in the “Research” form of Adobe InDesign Forum!

      https://forums.adobe.com/search.jspa?q=overset+text+in+table&place=%2Fplaces%2F1383625&depth=ALL

      … And take a look to the first found topic!!

      [Just to help other guys with less scripting knowledges than you!]

      (^/)

      • #96926

        I Checked the link you sent. I’d be following that topic

      • #100350

        Hi Keyvan/Obi-wan Kenobi,
        I am looking for a scripted solution to reduce the text within fixed-width/height tables rows.
        Reading this thread and watching the video, I was wondering if you’d share your script(s)?
        Regards.

    • #100351

      Hi,

      I only share explanations and video for free!

      If you want more [script], contact me: obiwankenobiearth@gmail.com

      (^/)

      [Such a script is not proposed for free because I think such a gratuity no longer values scripters’ real work and knowledge, as it may have been the case by the past!]

      • #100352

        Hi Obi,
        Understood.
        Have since figured it out.
        Thanks anyway.
        Best wishes.
        Samuel

    • #100353

      Hi Samuel
      I’m glad you figured it out. If you had any questions I’d be happy to help.

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