Gemtext Tables, No HTML Required

๐Ÿ“† 2026-04-25 10:45

If you spend any time writing in Gemtext, you quickly run into a familiar limitation: there are no native tables. That's part of the charm - Gemtext is intentionally minimal - but it also means that anything resembling structured data needs a bit of creativity.

One surprisingly effective workaround is to lean on Unicode box-drawing characters. These are the same symbols terminals have used for decades to build text-based interfaces, and they still hold up remarkably well today. With a monospaced font, they let you create clean, readable tables that feel right at home in a Gemini capsule.

The result isn't just functional - it's pleasantly retro, highly portable, and fits perfectly within the constraints of plain text. Below are a few examples you can copy, tweak, and reuse in your own Gemtext pages.

Bold table headers

Bold lines

Simple lines

Double lines table

Rounded corners

Table from + and - characters

No exterior borders ? Ok

Combination ? Sure

One of the nicest things about working with box-drawing characters is how flexible they are. You're not limited to a single "correct" style-mixing light and heavy lines, trying different junctions, or adjusting spacing can completely change the feel of a table. With a bit of experimentation, you can create layouts that match your own aesthetic, from minimal and subtle to bold and retro. Don't be afraid to tweak and combine characters.

The real fun is in making something that feels uniquely yours.

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