Table validation rules

Add and manage content

When you want to add a table to a topic you need to create a table rule. If there is no table rule(s) in the topic rules, then the content of the table is NOT validated. The topic rules must contain a table rule for content of the table to be validated.

Use table cell and paragraph rules to add paragraph level formatting to the table. You define formatting for different parts of the table by adding table cell rules that reference specific rows or columns.

Note: Table rules assign paragraph styles to table cells, they are not used to enforce table size or row and column size on a table. Cell borders and background colors must be applied to the table by the author and are not enforced by the table rules.

  • Validation displays for each cell in the table so you can quickly locate the cell that does not meet validation requirements. Cell locations are displayed as [row number],[column number], for example, "Cell 3,2".
  • Validation is not taken beyond the paragraph styles. You can add any inline (child content) to the table.
  • If all content in the table is going to use a single paragraph style then you only need to create one cell rule for the formatting. Select either All Rows or All Columns as the cell range.
  • Odd rows always count from the table's first row, whether you use the Table Header rule or not, and odd columns count from the table's first column. Even rows always count from the second row, and even columns count from the second column.
  • The Range Rows and Range Columns rules include settings that define the starting point and finishing point for the rules. Use the Range Minimum to select the first row or column and the Range Maximum to select the final row or column.
  • Each cell rule can only be used once in the table. For example, you can't use the Range Row rule to define formatting for one set of rows and then use it again to define formatting for another set of rows.
  • If a cell falls at the intersection point of a row and column that allow different paragraph styles, then either style is permitted for that cell.
  • If two rules are created that can be applied to either the same column or the same row, and each rule allows a different paragraph style, then either style can be used. For example, this can happen if both the First Row and an Odd Row rule is used.
  • The Table Header rule validates against the table row that has the Repeat Heading Rows option applied. The Repeat Heading Rows option applies to the table in the Editor by selecting the table row then clicking Layout > Advanced > Repeat Heading Rows.

    The paragraph marker that appears directly after a table belongs to the table, paragraph level validation doesn't apply to this paragraph marker.

    Table with Paragraph Marker

    If you want to add content below the table, create a new paragraph rule in the structure after your last table rule. In the topic, ensure you create a new paragraph after the table's paragraph marker.

    Table with Extra Paragraph Marker for New Content