How to Draw a Table in Adobe Photoshop

Create tables quickly in Photoshop.

Photoshop can handle more than just photo editing, and sometimes it's more convenient to finish your complete design in Photoshop rather than involving other desktop-publishing software. Drawing a table helps you lay out your graphics and text in an orderly fashion. Although it doesn't have a built-in table feature, you can quickly and easily design a table that can help you properly space your text and graphics.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Create a new file in Photoshop by going to the "File" menu and choosing "New."
   • 2
     Select the "Rectangle" tool from the toolbar. In the top options bar, select the "Shape" option. Draw a square or rectangle shape with the Rectangle tool.
   • 3
     Select the "Line" tool by holding your mouse over the "Rectangle" tool and choosing "Line" from the pop-out list. On the top options bar, select "Subtract From Shape Layer." Draw the number of horizontal and vertical lines you need in your table, but don't worry about correct spacing; just make sure the right number of lines are there.
   • 4
     Click on the "Pointer" tool. Select the horizontal lines and click the "Evenly Distribute" button on the top options bar. This fixes the spacing for your rows. Select the vertical lines and choose "Evenly Distribute" to correct the spacing for your columns.
   • 5
     Click off the table to deselect the lines. The basic table shape is outlined.
   • 6
     Enhance your table by adding layer effects. Double-click the "Layers" panel beside the Shape layer your table is located on. In the Layer Style window that opens, make changes to suit your tastes. Change the color overlay, the inner shadow to add dimension to your lines, and inner or outer glows, if needed. Click "OK."
   • 7
     Click the "Text" tool on the toolbar, then click inside one of the table's boxes. The tool automatically selects the area inside that box instead of the entire table.