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#65 – 🛠️ How to Build the Perfect Confluence Table ✨
Matt Reiner
Hey there, this is your Weekly Dose of Confluence with the latest and most important Confluence news in 5 minutes. If you were forwarded this message, you can get the free weekly newsletter here.
In this issue, we dive into the ways we’ve found to create beautiful and effective table in Confluence and we get a bet excited for upcoming improvements to Confluence databases.
Let's dive in!
Build a Better Table in Confluence
Tables are a very important element in Confluence, enabling teams to present structured information clearly and effectively. However, without some thoughtful design, tables can become cluttered and difficult to navigate. Yuck.
Let’s explore some best practices for creating beautiful and functional tables in Confluence Cloud. We’ll focus on making your data both accessible and visually appealing.
When to Use Tables in Confluence
Tables are ideal for organizing data in a structured layout. They’re really useful for different teams and scenarios, like:
Marketing Campaigns: Tracking campaign performance metrics.
Project Management: Outlining project timelines and responsibilities.
Product Development: Comparing feature specifications or bug tracking.
But, before creating a table, you’ll need to think about whether the information truly requires a tabular layout. Using a table for simple data can lead to unnecessary complexity.
Providing Context with Tables
A table without context is like a story without a plot. Nobody gets it but the creator. And even then…
To ensure your audience understands the purpose and content of your table:
Add Descriptive Titles: Clearly state what the table represents.
Include Summaries: Provide a brief overview of the data presented.
Use Captions: Offer additional insights or explanations as needed.
By framing your table with context, you can help readers skim quickly for the information they need.
Keeping Tables Simple and Clean
Simplicity is key to beautiful and effective table. To keep things clear:
Limit Columns and Rows: Focus on essential data to prevent overwhelming readers.
Align Text Properly: Ensure consistent alignment for readability.
Use Consistent Formatting: Apply uniform styles for fonts, colors, and borders.
A well-organized table enables readers to grasp information quickly without unnecessary distractions. Ahhhhh
Creating Beautiful Tables in Confluence
Confluence offers a range of features to make your table nicer to look at and more functional:
Resizing Columns: Drag edges to adjust width.
Cell Shading: Apply background colors for emphasis.
Sorting Data: Enable sorting to organize information dynamically.
Merging Cells: Combine cells for better data grouping.
Adding Links: Incorporate links to related content.
Utilizing Macros: Integrate macros like the chart macro to visualize data directly within the table.
For more advanced features, consider exploring third-party apps available on the Atlassian Marketplace, such as the Table Filter and Charts for Confluence apps, which offer enhanced filtering, charting, and data aggregation capabilities. 💪
Best Practices for Table Design
To really make them effective, try these tips for making your tables functional and aesthetically pleasing:
Test for All Screens: Ensure tables are accessible on various devices.
Incorporate Visual Cues: Use icons or color codes to highlight key data points.
Maintain Accessibility: Use color contrast and include alternative text for screen readers.
These tips will help convey information effectively and enhance the overall readers experience.
Ready to Build a Better Table?
Creating beautiful tables in Confluence Cloud is a blend of thoughtful design and strategic functionality. By providing context, maintaining simplicity, and leveraging Confluence's powerful features, you can transform standard tables into really powerful tools for communication and collaboration.
To learn even more about how to create effective tables in Confluence, check out our full article and video.
New Features Coming to Confluence Databases in 2025 🫶🏻
In 2025, Atlassian has plans to enhance Confluence databases with many new features like improved CSV and Jira imports, table to database conversion, and simplified setup to boost productivity and collaboration.
Create Sleek Presentations from Confluence
Did you know you can use Confluence to create compelling presentations and export them into beautifully designed, on-brand PDFs?
Just assemble the information in Confluence, then use the new sleek presentation template with Scroll PDF Exporter to share it in style. 😎
