This command specifies that the top row of a table should be kept together when part of the row (i.e. a column) breaks completely over to the next page, for example in a row that consists of multiple columns, the first of which contains a title for the row and the others contain text. If one of the text columns breaks such that its entire content is moved to the next page, every column in the row will move to the next page, thus ensuring that the whole row appears on the next page.

This keep PI is usually applied with a priority parameter - content can be designated to be kept together as long as this doesn't result in an empty column or partial column. When this exception does occur, PTC ALD will attempt to break the page at the lowest priority it can find irrespective of the amount of resulting content that is carried over. Priority value ranges are explained below: note that PTC ALD can only ignore keep instructions with a priority below 210 if a whole column overflows, and can only ignore those below 110 if a partial column overflows, i.e. a column that has been cropped to avoid other frames, such as those containing images at the top of a column.

Specifying <?tbrkeept> at the top of the table specifies the default for the whole table, which would cause the whole table to stay as a lump if num=1 is used. Individual rows can be overridden if <?tbrkeept> is used at the start of the row.