Working with tables

The program can auto-detect tables, both with and without gridlines in the original pages. Your original layout setting will encourage or prevent the program detecting table zones during automatic processing. If it detects and places tables in table zones, they will appear in grids in the Text Editor.

You can draw table zones manually before recognizing or re-recognizing a page. If a table was not detected during automatic processing, change the zone type to table. You can also place or modify table dividers in the zone, using tools in the Image toolbar.

To handle a page-sized table:

Create zones automatically using the Spreadsheet setting in the Layout Description drop-down list. OmniPage will create one, large table zone around the page. Use this when exporting to a spreadsheet application, or when you want a full-page table. An output formatting level Spreadsheet is available for spreadsheet file types.

Editing tables after recognition

Tables are placed in the Text Editor in grids, regardless of the Text Editor view. You can edit text in table cells. You can move dividers using the cursor. When the cursor reaches a gridline, it changes to a double-headed arrow. Drag the divider to a new location. You can also use the rulers to move dividers. Avoid placing a divider so it cuts through text.

Omnipage cell and arrows Working with tables

A row of small gray arrows along one edge of a table cell means some of the cell contents is not displayed. Enlarge the cell to see it.

Merging / Splitting cells

You can merge selected table cells into a single cell. The contents of the merged cells are placed vertically in the larger cell; scroll as required. Edit > Undo Merge Cells lets you restore the original cells and contents for a short time; after that use Split Cells.

You can split cells previously merged. Select the merged cell to make this available. The contents of the merged cell are placed vertically in the top left split cell; scroll as required. Edit > Undo Split Cells may still be available; it restores cells and their contents.

Formatting tables

Use the Borders and Shading dialog box from the Format menu to define line and shading styles for the tables.  You can also define some border formatting before recognition, using a table zone’s shortcut menu.

Use the Cell Alignment menu items from the Format menu or the shortcut menu to position the text in selected cells at the top, in the middle, or at the bottom of the cell. This is vertical alignment. For horizontal alignment, use the Formatting toolbar buttons.

  • Tables can be displayed in Plain Text, but cannot be modified. Please switch to a different view.

Saving tables

For some file types, you can decide at saving time to export a table in grids or as tab-separated columns. In others, you can choose from tab separated and space separated formatting. Choose the appropriate option under Tables in a converter option dialog box.

Tables can also be converted to spreadsheets when exporting to Microsoft Excel. Choose the export formatting level Spreadsheet when the table covers all or most of a page, because each page enters a separate worksheet. Choose Automatic for page layout before recognition, and set the formatting level at saving time to Formatted Text to have each detected table in a document saved to a separate worksheet. Other content is placed on the last worksheet and functions as an index. The tables are replaced by hyperlinks to their own worksheet.

Working with tables