Frequent tipster Leonid Nemirovsky sends us a tip on using tables.

"Normally, table styles are saved within the current drawing file, just like other styles. To save a table style for reuse, follow these steps: In an empty drawing, create all necessary table styles the way your job requires them. Save the drawing under a meaningful name. You can transfer table styles through Design Center; just find this drawing and drag the needed table style into your drawing. Also, you can create table styles in a DWT template and start all of your new drawings by using it. Another approach is to create one of each table that you want to use. Just make an empty table: headings with a couple of empty rows. WBlock them and insert into your working drawing as needed."

 

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol: Brilliant as always, Leonid! Having predefined styles for tables, text, dimensions, etc. ready to use makes things easier and quicker. Saving them in template files and starting all new files with that template is one of the best ways to have what you need. And Len's second idea — creating generic tables and saving them as a block — is also great. Tables are easy to edit and change, in the event that you need to add or remove rows and columns. You can add these block files to your tool palettes, or your block library.