Easily apply rounded edges to objects in InDesign

Round corners or edges in Adobe InDesign It may seem like a basic task, but when it comes to applying it to complex shapes, images, or even tables, things get a little more complicated. Easily apply rounded edges to objects in InDesign, whether in decorative elements or in more advanced structures such as tables.

In this article we will explain All the possible ways to apply rounded corners within InDesign, including simple methods for common objects and more sophisticated techniques for making your tables look completely customizable. We'll use practical examples and detailed descriptions so you can apply them step by step to your own projects.

Rounding corners of objects in InDesign

InDesign offers a straightforward way to modify the corners of almost any vector object, such as rectangles, polygons, or text frames. Let's see how.

With the integrated corner option

To apply rounded corners to an object, simply click on it and go to Object > Corner Options. A dialog box will open where you can choose from several corner styles: rounded, beveled, inverted, etc. To round corners, select Rounded in the drop-down menus and define the measurement in millimeters.

An interesting feature of this tool is the possibility of unlink the values of each corner, which will allow you to round only the corners you want (for example, only the top ones or just a specific one). If you're interested in learning how to round the corners of shapes in another program, you can check out how to round shape corners in Illustrator.

Using interactive widgets

Another very visual and fast way is to use the corner modification points that appear when you select an object with the direct selection tool (the white arrow). By dragging these points inward, you can round the corners manually and see the changes in real time.

How to Make Tables with Rounded Corners in InDesign

One of the major limitations of Adobe InDesign is that it doesn't allow you to directly round the corners of a table as you can with objects. However, there are creative techniques that allow you to simulate this effect effectively and also functionally.

Create rounded headers on the table

This method is ideal if you want a rounded top for your board. Here's how to do it step by step.

Design your basic table within a text frame. Set all the necessary styles: cell size, colors, spacing, etc.
Create a header box elsewhere in the document. Make sure it's the same width as the table. Insert the heading text inside and adjust the "Margin Spacing" from Object > Text Frame Options.
Rounds only the top corners of the new frame by means of Object > Corner OptionsYou can choose the rounding amount in mm. Make the background color match the original table header to maintain visual consistency.
Delete the top cell of the table original to avoid duplicate headings and misalignments.
Create a new single-cell table without strokes or fill and with 0 mm inner margin.
Paste inside this cell The rounded box. Since it's inside an editable cell, it will stay within the text flow, but will appear to be part of the table.
Adjusts the spaces before and after from the table options so that both (main table and single-row table) are joined without leaving visible spaces.

This method not only creates a Very realistic illusion of a table with rounded corners, but it maintains the editable structure, allowing you to copy and paste the whole thing as a single block.

Insert the table into a rounded frame

A second very effective option is to place the board inside a frame with rounded cornersHere's the procedure:

Create a text frame with specific dimensions (for example, 100×100 mm).
Align it to the center and add a basic table with the necessary rows and columns.
Modify the exterior lines of the table to set them to 0 points if you don't want the lines to interfere with the frame design.
Then, with the frame selected, access Object > Corner Options and select the rounded style. You can define the radius, such as 6 mm, or whatever suits your design.
Apply background colors and outlines according to your preference. For example, blue fill and 1 pt black outline.
Enter the data into the table. To make it visually better, you can center the text, change the text color to white and alternate colors in rows or columns.

This system has the advantage that you keep the table as a dynamic element And because it's encapsulated within a rounded frame, the visual effect is striking. You can crop the frame, move it freely, and adjust it to fit perfectly. If you'd like to learn more about creating a logo, I recommend checking out this article on how to create a logo with Illustrator.

Combined alternative: borderless table within an aesthetic frame

Another interesting and very visual variation is to work with a borderless board placed inside a decorative frame:

Create a table with all cells unstroked (0 pt in outlines).
Apply a colored background to each row or column.
Use an external frame that has rounded corners (e.g. 14mm on each corner) and place it at the bottom.
With Ctrl + X Cut the table and then paste it inside the rounded frame using “Insert into Selection” from the context menu.
Use the direct selection tool to move it, adjusting size and position.

This system is especially useful if you want to highlight a table on a decorative background, highlighting the design without losing readability or editable structureYou can find more information in the article on 3D drawings, which also shares useful techniques for graphic design.

Additional tips to improve working with rounded corners

Combine techniques If you are looking for a more striking result: for example, rounded header + decorated frame.
Make sure to turn on the base grid and use guides to align everything precisely.
Duplicate elements and save as styles if you are going to reuse them in other documents.
Preview in high resolution and try exporting to PDF to make sure the fillets appear correctly.

InDesign It doesn't make things easy when it comes to rounded corners on elements like tables, but with a little ingenuity and creativity, you can achieve professional and aesthetically pleasing results. By taking advantage of built-in tools like corner options, custom frames, and table-in-frame editing, you can achieve a unique design tailored to your needs.