Text tables in Altium let you document component values, pin assignments, or test points directly on your schematic
A text table in Altium Designer is a grid of text you place on your schematic sheet to organize information — things like resistor values across a circuit block, microcontroller pin assignments, or measurement points. Unlike a component symbol, it is purely informational and does not affect the netlist or bill of materials. You create it by inserting a table object, filling in the cells, and positioning it where you need it.
The table stays with your schematic file and prints with it. It is useful when you want to keep reference data visible without cluttering the diagram itself, or when you need to show a lookup table that technicians or manufacturers will read during assembly or troubleshooting.
Key Takeaways
- Text tables are inserted through the Schematic menu under Place, and you set the number of rows and columns before the table appears on the sheet.
- You click into each cell to type text, and you can format individual cells with different fonts, sizes, or text styles.
- Tables do not connect to your circuit and do not appear in the netlist, so they are safe to use for documentation without affecting design data.
- You can move, resize, and copy a table after it is placed, and you can lock it to prevent accidental changes.
Opening the table insertion dialog
Start with your schematic sheet open in Altium Designer. Go to the Schematic menu at the top, then hover over Place to open the submenu. You will see an option called Table — click it.
A dialog box appears asking you to set the table size. You will see fields for Rows and Columns. Enter the number you need — for example, 5 rows and 3 columns for a straightforward reference table. Click OK when you are ready.
Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click on the schematic sheet where you want the top-left corner of the table to appear, and the table will be placed there. You can move it later if needed.
Filling in the cells with text
Once the table is on your sheet, double-click any cell to enter edit mode and type text into it. The cell will show a text cursor. Type what you need — a component reference, a value, a description — and press Tab to move to the next cell to the right, or Enter to move down to the cell below.
If you need to go back to a cell you already filled, double-click it again. You can edit the text the same way. When you are done with a cell, click outside the table or press Escape to exit edit mode and see the full table.
Text in each cell is left-aligned by default. If a cell contains more text than fits, the text will wrap to multiple lines within that cell, and the row height will expand automatically.
Formatting text within the table
You can change how text looks in individual cells or across the whole table. Right-click on a cell (or select multiple cells by clicking and dragging across them) and choose Text from the context menu. A formatting dialog opens where you can change the font, size, style (bold, italic, underline), and text color.
If you want to format the entire table at once, click on the table border to select the whole object, then right-click and choose Text. Any changes you make will explore to all cells. You can also select just the header row and make it bold to distinguish it from the data rows below.
Resizing columns and rows
After you place the table, you may find that some columns are too narrow for the text or some rows are taller than necessary. Click on the table to select it (you will see selection handles around it). Position your cursor on the border between two column headers at the top of the table — the cursor will change to a resize arrow. Click and drag left or right to make that column wider or narrower.
To resize a row, position your cursor on the border between two row numbers on the left side of the table and drag up or down. You can also double-click a column or row border to auto-fit the width or height to the content.
Moving and copying the table
Click on the table border to select the whole table (not a single cell). You will see selection handles around the outside. Click and drag the table to move it to a different location on your sheet. If you need a copy of the table, right-click it and choose Copy, then right-click on an empty area of the sheet and choose Paste. The copy will appear slightly offset from the original.
You can also use Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. If you want to prevent accidental changes to the table later, right-click it, choose Lock, and the table will be fixed in place and protected from editing until you unlock it.
Deleting or replacing a table
If you need to remove a table, click on its border to select it and press Delete. The entire table will be removed from the sheet. If you want to change the table size after placing it, you will need to delete it and insert a new one with the correct dimensions — Altium does not have a built-in resize-grid function.
If you have already filled in a table and realize you need more rows or columns, you can copy the text from each cell, delete the table, insert a new one with the right size, and paste the text back in. It takes a few minutes but is faster than re-typing everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a text table affect my bill of materials or netlist?
No. Text tables are purely visual and do not connect to any components or nets. They will not appear in your BOM, netlist, or any generated output files. They are safe to use for documentation without changing your design data.
Can I copy a table from one sheet to another?
Yes. Select the table, copy it with Ctrl+C, switch to the other sheet, and paste it with Ctrl+V. The table will appear on the new sheet with the same content and formatting. You can then edit the cells if the new sheet needs different information.
What happens if I print my schematic with a table on it?
The table will print as part of the schematic. Make sure it is positioned where it will not overlap important circuit symbols or labels. You can move it to a corner or empty area of the sheet before printing if needed.
Can I change the border style or background color of the table?
Altium text tables have limited formatting options. You can change text color and style within cells, but the table border and cell background colors are fixed. If you need more control over appearance, some users draw rectangles and lines manually and add text labels instead, though a text table is usually simpler for straightforward data.
Is there a way to make a table automatically update based on component values?
No. Text tables are static — they do not link to component properties or parameters. If a component value changes, you must update the table manually. For dynamic data that updates with your design, you would need to use Altium's parameter or variant features, which are more complex.