Pricing Blog Affiliates Install for Overleaf Get Started

Best LaTeX Table Generators: Features and Performance Review

August 8, 2025

$Best LaTeX Table Generators: Features and Performance Review$

Creating tables in LaTeX can be tedious and error-prone when done manually. LaTeX table generators can dramatically speed up this process while ensuring proper formatting. This comprehensive review compares the best LaTeX table generators available today.

If you need a fast option, Underleaf’s table generator balances ease of use with clean LaTeX output.

Generate a table

Top LaTeX Table Generators Reviewed

1. Underleaf Table Generator (★★★★★)

Underleaf’s AI-powered table generator stands out for its advanced features and accuracy:

Image-to-Table: Convert table images directly to LaTeX code
Smart Formatting: AI automatically optimizes column widths and alignment
Multiple Input Methods: CSV import, manual entry, or image conversion
Advanced Features: Automatic handling of multirow, multicolumn, and complex formatting
Overleaf Integration: Direct export to Overleaf projects
Clean Code Output: Produces readable, well-structured LaTeX

You can also convert photos or screenshots of tables straight to LaTeX.

Convert a table image

2. Tables Generator (★★★★☆)

A popular online tool with a visual interface:

Pros: Visual WYSIWYG editor, multiple export formats
Cons: Limited advanced formatting, no image input
Best for: Simple tables with basic formatting

3. LaTeX Table Editor (★★★☆☆)

Pros: Free, supports basic table operations
Cons: Outdated interface, limited features
Best for: Quick simple tables

4. Excel2LaTeX (★★★☆☆)

Excel add-in for converting spreadsheets:

Pros: Works directly in Excel, preserves formatting
Cons: Windows only, requires Excel, limited customization
Best for: Users already working in Excel

Feature Comparison Matrix

Key Features Comparison:

Image Input: Only Underleaf ✅
AI Formatting: Only Underleaf ✅
CSV Import: Underleaf ✅, Tables Generator ✅
Visual Editor: Underleaf ✅, Tables Generator ✅
Advanced LaTeX: Underleaf ✅, Excel2LaTeX ✅
Free Tier: All tools ✅

When to Use Each Tool

Use Underleaf When:

Converting table images from papers or textbooks
Creating complex tables with advanced formatting
Working on academic papers with multiple tables
Need integration with Overleaf workflow
Want AI assistance for optimal formatting

Use Tables Generator When:

Creating simple tables quickly
Need multiple output formats (HTML, Markdown, etc.)
Prefer visual editing interface

Use Excel2LaTeX When:

Already have data in Excel spreadsheets
Working on Windows with Excel installed
Need to preserve Excel-specific formatting

Advanced Table Features

Multirow and Multicolumn Cells

Complex table structures require special LaTeX commands:

\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|}
\hline
\multirow{2}{*}{Category} & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{Values} \\
\cline{2-3}
 & Type A & Type B \\
\hline
Data 1 & 10 & 20 \\
Data 2 & 15 & 25 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{table}

Complex multirow/column tables are easy to mess up by hand. The generator can save time here.

Build a complex table

Professional Formatting Tips

Use booktabs: Professional horizontal lines with \\toprule, \\midrule, \\bottomrule
Avoid vertical lines: Clean tables typically don’t use vertical separators
Proper alignment: Use l, c, r for left, center, right alignment
Column spacing: Add @{\extracolsep{\fill}} for flexible spacing

Workflow Integration

Academic Writing Workflow

Data Collection: Gather data in spreadsheets or capture from sources
Table Generation: Use appropriate generator based on source format
LaTeX Integration: Insert generated code into document
Formatting Review: Adjust styling for consistency
Cross-referencing: Add labels and references

Have a table in a book or PDF? A quick photo is often enough to produce clean LaTeX.

Try image → table

Performance and Accuracy Testing

Based on testing with various table types:

Simple Tables (3x3): All tools perform well
Complex Tables (multirow/column): Underleaf 95%, Others 60-70%
Image Conversion: Only Underleaf available, 90% accuracy
CSV Import: Underleaf 98%, Tables Generator 85%
Code Quality: Underleaf produces cleanest, most maintainable code

Cost Comparison

Underleaf: Free tier available, premium plans for advanced features
Tables Generator: Completely free with ads
LaTeX Table Editor: Free
Excel2LaTeX: Free Excel add-in

*Underleaf’s premium features like image conversion and AI assistance provide significant time savings that justify the cost for regular users.

Conclusion and Recommendations

For most academic and professional use cases, Underleaf’s table generator offers the best combination of features, accuracy, and ease of use. Its unique image-to-table conversion and AI-powered formatting make it particularly valuable for research and academic writing.