How to Remove Diagonal Table Border in InDesign

In Adobe InDesign, diagonal borders within table cells allow you to draw lines that run from one corner of a cell to the opposite corner. These are often used for visual styling or to diagonally separate content within a single cell. Here's how diagonal borders work in InDesign and how to customize them:

Features of Diagonal Borders:

Placement:

  • Diagonal Up: A line running from the bottom-left corner to the top-right corner of the cell.

  • Diagonal Down: A line running from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner of the cell.

Customizable Appearance:

  • You can modify the weight, style (solid, dashed, etc.), and color of the diagonal lines independently from the cell's horizontal and vertical borders.

Non-Editable Intersection:

  • While you can adjust the look of the diagonal borders, the area where they intersect cannot display different properties.

How to Apply and Edit Diagonal Borders:

Select the Cell(s):

  • Use the Type Tool (T) to click and drag inside the cell where you want to add a diagonal border.

  • Alternatively, select multiple cells for bulk changes.

Open Cell Options:

  • Right-click the table and choose Table Options > Cell Options > Diagonal Lines.

  • Alternatively, select Table > Cell Options > Diagonal Lines from the menu options at the top.

  • Set Diagonal Lines:

    • Under the Diagonal Lines tab, you'll see options for:

      • No diagonal lines

      • Top-left to bottom-right diagonal line

      • Top-right to bottom-left diagonal line

      • Crossing diagonal lines

    • Choose the desired stroke weight, style, and color for each diagonal.

  • Preview and Confirm:

    • Check the Preview box to see how the diagonal line(s) appear.

    • Click OK to apply the changes.

Use Cases for Diagonal Borders:

  • Data Separation: Split a cell into two triangular sections to display distinct types of information, such as in calendars.

  • Visual Design: Add diagonal accents for creative or aesthetic purposes.

  • Headers or Labels: Use diagonal lines to create unique column or row headers.

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