<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "macOS: 11.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "AppKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/Style-swift.enum/automatic",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Case",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Case",
    "modules" : [
      "AppKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:@E@NSTableViewStyle@NSTableViewStyleAutomatic"
  },
  "title" : "NSTableView.Style.automatic"
}
-->

# NSTableView.Style.automatic

The system resolves the table view style based on the table view hierarchy.

```
case automatic
```

## Discussion

The system resolves the table view style in the following manner:

- If the table view is in a sidebar split-view controller item, [`effectiveStyle`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/effectiveStyle) resolves to [`NSTableView.Style.sourceList`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/Style-swift.enum/sourceList).
- If the table’s scroll view has a border, [`effectiveStyle`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/effectiveStyle) resolves to [`NSTableView.Style.fullWidth`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/Style-swift.enum/fullWidth).
- Otherwise, [`effectiveStyle`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/effectiveStyle) resolves to [`NSTableView.Style.inset`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/Style-swift.enum/inset). However, if the table needs extra space to fit its column cells, [`effectiveStyle`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/effectiveStyle) resolves to [`NSTableView.Style.fullWidth`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/Style-swift.enum/fullWidth).

> Note:
> For backward compatibility reasons, when ``doc://com.apple.appkit/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/selectionHighlightStyle-swift.property`` is ``doc://com.apple.appkit/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/SelectionHighlightStyle-swift.enum/sourceList``, ``doc://com.apple.appkit/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/style-swift.property`` also resolves to ``doc://com.apple.appkit/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/Style-swift.enum/sourceList``.

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)