# Drawing dashed multicolumn table

I want to draw a multicolumn table, such that for every row, the second and third columns are divided into two parts, and there is a dashed line separating the two parts. Currently, I have something like this:

\documentclass[a4paper]{paper}

\usepackage{multirow}
\usepackage{makecell}
\usepackage{arydshln}

\begin{document}

\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|*{7}{c|}}
\hline
\multirowcell{2}{Function} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{Input(s)} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{Output(s)} & \multicolumn{4}{c|}{Operations} \\
\cdashline{2-3} \cline{4-7}
& Type(s) & Type(s) & M & S & a & I \\
\hline
$\mathtt{j\_inv}$ & $(A, C)$ \\ $K \times K$ & $j(E)$ \\ $K$ & 3 & 4 & 8 & 1 \\ \hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Summary of functions}
\label{tab:functions}
\end{table}

\end{document}


The point is that the table header is exactly as I want, but then in the second row when I start to actually write the values, I do not know how to make the second and third column divided into two parts like their header, and divided by a dashed line. Simply, I put the newline symbol between the two parts, but it does not give the desired effect of course. Any ideas how to achieve what I want?

• Could you please post a code that does not throw errors? – marmot Apr 3 '18 at 15:52
• @marmot This code is not supposed to throw error, I believe. It compiles successfully, but the end result is not what I desire. The header is all fine, take the second row which includes values, for the second column I have written $(A, C)$ \\ $K, how this should be displayed is that $(A, C)$ should be at the top, then a dashed line comes and then $K$ underneath the dashed line. Similar idea for the third column too. I achieve that for the headers, but don't know how to achieve that for the actual values. – pixel Apr 3 '18 at 15:54 • Well it does not compile on my TeXLive 2017 distribution with either pdflatex, xelatex or lualatex. – marmot Apr 3 '18 at 15:56 • @marmot How about now? I believe arydshln needs to be loaded last. – pixel Apr 3 '18 at 15:58 • Yes, now it compiles. ;-) – marmot Apr 3 '18 at 15:59 ## 1 Answer Most likely I am missing something. You have already found out in the header how to split a cell. Why can't you just repeat it? \documentclass[a4paper]{paper} \usepackage{multirow} \usepackage{makecell} \usepackage{arydshln} \begin{document} \begin{table}[h] \centering \begin{tabular}{|*{7}{c|}} \hline \multirowcell{2}{Function} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{Input(s)} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{Output(s)} & \multicolumn{4}{c|}{Operations} \\ \cdashline{2-3} \cline{4-7} & Type(s) & Type(s) & M & S & a & I \\ \hline \multirowcell{2}{$\mathtt{j\_inv}$} &$(A, C)$&$K \times K$&$j(E)$& & &\\ \cdashline{2-3} \cline{4-7} &$K\$ & 3 & 4 & 8 & 1 &\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Summary of functions}
\label{tab:functions}
\end{table}

\end{document}


If this is not the output you want, you may benefit from posting an annotated table in which you explain what you want to achieve.

• Thanks, this is the output I want, I was trying to use \multicolumn again in the second row. That was my mistake. – pixel Apr 3 '18 at 16:08