---
title: "Tables"
space: "Framework"
url: "https://docs.frappe.io/framework/user/en/printing/print-format-editor/tables"
updated: "2026-10-10"
---

Child tables, like the items on an invoice or the taxes on an order, print as tables. This page explains how to pick their columns, style them, merge several values into one cell and print only some rows.

Applies to Frappe v16 and later.

## Add a table

Child tables are in the **Fields** tab like any other field, with the type **Table**. Drag one into a section. A table usually sits alone in a one-column section, so it gets the full width of the page.

If you want to lay out each row your own way instead of as a grid, use a [Custom Table](/framework/user/en/printing/print-format-editor/blocks#custom-table) block.

## Table settings

Select the table to see its settings.

![The items table selected, with its settings on the right.](/files/printing-v16c-editor-table.png)

### Table

| Setting | Options | What it does |
|---------|---------|--------------|
| **Title** | text, with **Show title** | A heading above the table, for example "Items". |
| **Style** | **Grid**, **Rows**, **Striped**, **None** | **Grid** draws all lines. **Rows** draws lines between rows only. **Striped** shades every other row. **None** draws no lines. |
| **Header** | **Styled**, **Plain**, **None** | **Styled** gives the header row a background. **Plain** prints it as normal text. **None** hides the header row. |
| **Cell padding** | pixels | Space inside each cell. |
| **Radius** | pixels | Rounds the corners of the table. |
| **Min height** | pixels | Keeps the table at least this tall, even with few rows. Useful for pre-printed stationery. |

### Columns

The **Columns** list shows the columns in print order, with their count at the top.

- **Add a column:** type in **Add column...** and pick a field. **Sr No.** adds the row number.
- **Reorder:** drag a column by its grip.
- **Rename:** click the column name and type a new heading.
- **Remove:** click the **×** next to it.

Click the settings button next to a column for more:

| Setting | What it does |
|---------|--------------|
| **Width** | The column's share of the table, in percent. Leave empty to share the space equally. |
| **Date format** | For date columns. |
| **Merge fields** | Show more fields in the same cell, under the main value. See below. |
| **Show column when** | Print the column only when a condition about the document is true. |

A column whose cells are empty in every row is left out automatically, and the other columns grow to fill the space.

### Merge fields into one cell

Merging lets one cell carry several values, for example the item name in bold with its code and description below it in grey.

1. Open the settings of the column, for example **Item**.
2. Under **Merge fields**, click **Add field...** and pick a field, for example **Description**.
3. Pick a style for each merged field. The column's own field always prints first, in the **Primary** style.

| Style | Looks like |
|-------|------------|
| **Primary** | Bold, dark text |
| **Secondary** | Normal weight, dark text |
| **Code** | Small grey monospaced text, for codes and SKUs |
| **Muted** | Small grey text, for long descriptions |

The first field you add starts as **Secondary** and the next ones as **Muted**.

An image field, such as the item image, gets a size setting instead, so you can print a small thumbnail next to the item name.

4. Set **Direction** to **Vertical** to stack the values, or **Horizontal** to put them side by side.

### Style

| Setting | What it does |
|---------|--------------|
| **Header** | Background colour of the header row. Shown when **Header** is **Styled**. |
| **Border** | Colour of the lines. |
| **Custom CSS** | Your own CSS for the table. |

### Visibility

| Setting | What it does |
|---------|--------------|
| **Condition** | Print the whole table only when this is true. |
| **Show row when** | Print only the rows for which this is true. Use `row.` to refer to the row's fields. Leave blank to print every row. |

Some examples for **Show row when**:

```python
row.qty > 0                      # skip zero quantity rows
row.item_group != "Services"     # leave out service items
not row.is_free_item             # hide free items
```

See [Show or hide content](/framework/user/en/printing/print-format-editor/conditions) for how conditions work.

## Related topics

- [Blocks: Custom Table](/framework/user/en/printing/print-format-editor/blocks#custom-table)
- [Show or hide content](/framework/user/en/printing/print-format-editor/conditions)