---
title: "Efficient table creation in Illustrator"
author: Steve McKinney
date: 2016-06-21T06:47:00+00:00
lastmod: 2016-08-28T09:15:49+00:00
categories: ["Design"]
url: https://iamsteve.me/blog/efficient-table-creation-in-illustrator
---

Tables in general are something I naturally avoid doing in design applications, they’re frustrating to make. They are easily to overlook due to this and that they can be quite uncommon in use. Let’s say you wanted to design a table in Illustrator, and you wanted a quick and accurate way to do so. This post will show you how.

## What we will end up with

At the end of the post you’ll end up with something that looks like this, if you would like to skip ahead you can download the file.

## Make a new document

The first step is to setup a new document, the size isn’t too important, but I’ve made an 1200⨉800 web artboard.

## Getting the initial row layout

The first step is to get the necessary elements in place to begin to build up the table. Select the line tool using <kbd>\\</kbd>.

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</div>

Then click the artboard and you’ll be presented with a window. The length should be 840px and the angle should be 0°.

### Duplicate the line

The next step is to duplicate the line and paste in place. Copy the line with <kbd>cmd</kbd> + <kbd>c</kbd> then paste in place with <kbd>cmd</kbd> + <kbd>shift</kbd> + <kbd>v</kbd>.

<div className="article-image">
  
</div>

With the line still selected, open Window > Transform. Click to the end of the y coordinate and type '+256' this will add 8 rows worth of space at 32px each to the y coordinate.

## Using the blend tool to make additional lines

You should have something similar to this. Two lines positioned 252px apart.

Select both of your lines, then press <kbd>cmd</kbd> + <kbd>alt</kbd> + <kbd>b</kbd>, or in the menu go to Object > Blend > Make. After doing this you may have what appears to be a filled box.

Next, in the menu go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. This is where you can customise the blend. In spacing select ‘Specified Steps’ and put in 6. Click ‘OK’ and you have the cells.

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</div>

## Alternating row colour

Now you’re going to use split into grid to make rows to use for the background colour.

### Add a rectangle

Press <kbd>m</kbd>, click the artboard and add the values 840px by 252px. So that the rows will be covered.

<div className="article-image">
  
</div>

Next, fill the rectangle with any colour, purely for visibility.

### Align the rectangle

Select both the rectangle and the lines that have been blended. Then open the align panel, which can be found under Window > Align.

<div className="article-image">
  
</div>

Now using ‘Align to Artboard’ click both horizontal and vertical align centre.

### Make the rows