Looking for Advice on Using Scribus to Import and Format Data Tables

[Jessy]

Hello Everyone ,

I'm contacting you for help with import and structuring data tables because I'm new to Scribus. A project I'm working on calls for the inclusion of multiple detailed tables, however I'm having some trouble making sure they import correctly and are displayed correctly in my document.

Here's a quick rundown of my present procedure and the problems I'm having:

Bringing Tables into Excel:

• Excel is where I have my information in tables ready. I notice that formatting gets messed up when I try to import it into Scribus. Are there any particular actions or configurations I need to know about in order to preserve the original formatting while importing data?
• What is the recommended file format (CSV, ODS, etc.) for import tables in Scribus?

Keeping the Integrity of the Table:

• Some of my own tables lose structure when they are imported; cells merge erroneously or the data aligns wrongly. Which procedures work best to maintain the integrity of tables?
• Exist any particular tools or capabilities in Scribus that may be used to manage complex tables?

How to Format Tables in Scribus:

• I'm searching for tips on how to structure tables in Scribus so they appear good and are simple to read. I would really appreciate some advice on how to change the text alignment, border style, and cell sizes.
• Exist any styles or templates that could make this process easier?

Managing Big Tables:

A few of my charts are quite big and take up several pages. What is the suggested method in Scribus for dealing with these tables? It would be especially helpful to have any advice on handling the footers and headers for these tables.

I've read through the Scribus manual and other internet resources, but I think more useful advice from seasoned users could address these issues. It would be really beneficial if you could provide any guidance, instructions, or minitab examples.

Thank you in advance.

[PatJr]

tables in scribus are a bit primitive
can you post up a sample file as an example of a table you would want to import into scribus?

[mnawij]

Hi Jessy, I would recommend saving them as image format or pdf from excel and placing them into Scribus, unless you need to edit the tables in Scribus. It is the best way that I have found for quick work to get the job done.

Cheers!

mnawij

[Flaxx]

Hi Jessy, I would recommend saving them as image format or pdf from excel and placing them into Scribus, unless you need to edit the tables in Scribus. It is the best way that I have found for quick work to get the job done.

Cheers!

mnawij

Even if I love Scribus and even if your proposal works fine for printed media, it doesn't in cases where you finally want to produce a readable PDF that should be accessible for people needing screen readers as they have reduced visual abilities.

I really would prefer a future Scribus version being able to import PDF or SVG files containing readable text - even correctly formatted if the fonts are either installed or (in case of PDF) properly embedded.

[Nermander]

If you are producing PDFs for other uses than print, I am not sure Scribus is the right tool.

Scribus has always had the focus on print production, there are a lot of other options out there if you don't need PDFs for high quality printing.