The complete guide to creating tables in Confluence Cloud
Share on socials
The complete guide to creating tables in Confluence Cloud
Jump to Section
Jump to section
Create your Confluence table
- Adding a table
- Delete rows and columns
- Insert rows and columns
- Resize a table
Copy and delete your table
Customise your table
- Change table cell colour
- Add macros to cells
- Configure headers
Advanced customisation
Create a chart from your table
Table keyboard shortcuts
[BONUS] Create HTML tables in Confluence
The table is a classic way of ordering information for a reason. Here’s how to create and edit your own Confluence tables.
When you want to present information in an organised format that allows for comparison and filtering, a table is the perfect tool. Fortunately, Confluence has a simple built-in feature that lets you build and customise tables quickly.
For another way to add structure to your page, read our guide to adding numbered headings to Confluence.
For another way to add structure to your page, read our guide to adding numbered headings to Confluence.
How to create a table in Confluence Cloud
- Enter edit mode on your Confluence page.
- Find the Table icon in the toolbar. It looks like a square split into four sections. Then click the Table size arrow beside it.
How to delete table rows and columns
- Click inside the row or column you want to remove. You will see an icon appear at the head of that column or row.
- Click the icon, and then select Delete column or Delete row from the dropdown.
How to insert rows and columns
1. Hover over one of the dots between two columns or rows.
2. When it turns into a blue plus sign, click it to add a new row or column.
How to resize a Confluence table
You can resize your table by clicking the vertical line to the right of the table (it will turn blue when hovered) and dragging it to alter the width.
How to copy and delete whole tables
To copy or delete a table, click anywhere inside your table, then click the three dots ("View more").
Then select Copy or Delete from the dropdown menu.
How to customise Confluence tables
There are many ways you can improve the look and feel of your Confluence tables. Here are just a few:
Change the colour of your table cells
- Click on a single cell, or drag your cursor to select multiple cells.
- Click the downward arrow in the cell toolbar.
- Hover over Background colour and choose a colour from the palette.
💡Pro tip: Looking for custom cell colours?
If the default Confluence palette is too limiting, try creating your table in Google Sheets first. You can apply any custom hex colour you like there.
Once you copy and paste the table into your Confluence page, the custom colours will be preserved. This is also a handy way to quickly apply conditional formatting to your data before embedding it in Confluence.
How to add a macro to a table cell
- Click in a table cell and type the macro shortcut (for example, /status).
- Select your chosen macro from the dropdown menu.
How to configure table headers
To toggle a header column or row, click anywhere on your table and select Table options.
- By clicking Header column or Header row, you can add (or remove) headers. These make the cells in that row/column darker and automatically make the text bolder.
- You can also click Numbered column to add numbering to your table.
⚡️ More advanced customisation options
If you're looking for more advanced customisation, you'll need an app to help you! Mosaic for Confluence includes a variety of macros designed to improve your page structure and style.
Make your tables stand out - add a coloured background with Mosaic
Ways to make your tables stand out with Mosaic
- Add collapsible sections inside cells: If a cell contains too much text, wrap it in an Advanced Expand macro to keep the table tidy.
- Separate tables with tabs: Too many tables on one page? Place them inside a Tabs macro to keep your layout clean.
- Add engaging links: Use Buttons inside table cells to create clear calls to action, like adding links to onboarding documentation, linking to external documentation or Jira tickets.
- Explain jargon: If your table headers use acronyms, use a Tooltip to provide definitions without cluttering the design.
See all these examples in action below 👇
Adding charts from Confluence table data
Want to turn your table information into a visual chart? It's pretty simple:
- Click anywhere on your table and select the three dots ("View more")
- Select Insert chart from the dropdown.
This will create a chart underneath your table.
With your chart embedded, you can click Chart options to bring up the chart editor on the right-hand side. You can:
- Change the chart type (Bar, Line, or Pie)
- Choose what displays on the X axis
- Select which data series to include
- Customise the colours, title, chart orientation, and legend
Confluence table keyboard shortcuts
Looking to edit your table without ever having to use a mouse? These keyboard combinations will help you finish your page faster than ever.
Bonus: Check out our full guide to Confluence Cloud keyboard shortcuts
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Create table | Shift + Alt + T | ⇧ + ⌥ + T |
| Clear cell | Backspace | ⌫ |
| Add row above | CTRL + Alt + ↑ | ⌃ + ⌥ + ↑ |
| Add row below | CTRL + Alt + ↓ | ⌃ + ⌥ + ↓ |
| Add left column | CTRL + Alt + ← | ⌃ + ⌥ + ← |
| Add right column | CTRL + Alt + → | ⌃ + ⌥ + → |
Completely style Confluence tables your way with HTML
If standard tables aren't cutting it, Mosaic’s HTML macro lets you add custom HTML and CSS directly to your Confluence page. This allows you to create and customise tables exactly as you want.
This is great if you want to add rounded corners, remove specific borders, or apply strict company branding to your tables for sleek-looking presentations and reports.
Enhance the structure and readability of your Confluence pages
Mosaic for Confluence is the ultimate toolkit for making your pages easier to read and navigate. Get started today with a 30-day free trial.
Related Content
Read more
Written by
Related Content
Read more