# MD055 - Table pipe style
## Description
This rule is triggered when table rows in a Markdown file have inconsistent pipe styles.
In Markdown tables, you can include or omit leading and trailing pipe characters (`|`). This rule enforces a consistent style for these pipes.
## Configuration
The rule can be configured to enforce specific pipe styles:
```json
{
"MD055": {
"style": "consistent"
}
}
```
The `style` parameter can have the following values:
- `consistent` (default): All table rows should use the same style as the first table row
- `leading*and*trailing`: All table rows must have both leading and trailing pipes (`| cell | cell |`)
- `leading*only`: All table rows must have leading pipes and no trailing pipes (`| cell | cell`) | |
- `trailing*only`: All table rows must have trailing pipes and no leading pipes (`cell | cell |`) | |
- `no*leading*or*trailing`: All table rows must have neither leading nor trailing pipes (`cell | cell`) | | |
## Examples
### Valid
When using default configuration (consistent style):
```markdown
| Cell 1 | Cell 2 |
```
```markdown
Cell 1 | Cell 2
```
When configured to require leading and trailing pipes:
```json
{
"MD055": {
"style": "leading*and*trailing"
}
}
```
```markdown
| Cell 1 | Cell 2 |
```
### Invalid
Using inconsistent styles (with default configuration):
```markdown
Cell 1 | Cell 2
```
When configured to require leading and trailing pipes:
```json
{
"MD055": {
"style": "leading*and_trailing"
}
}
```
```markdown
Cell 1 | Cell 2
```
## Special Cases
- Table syntax within code blocks is ignored
- A table is identified by the presence of a delimiter row (containing dashes and optionally colons)
- The rule processes tables that have at least a header row and a delimiter row
## Rationale
Consistency in table formatting enhances readability and maintainability of Markdown documents.
## Benefits
- Improved document readability
- Consistent table formatting across a project
- Better compatibility with various Markdown parsers
## Related Rules
- [MD056](md056.md) - Table column count should be consistent
- [MD058](md058.md) - Tables should be surrounded by blank lines