\usepackage{adjustbox} \usepackage{array} \newcolumntype{R}[2]{% >{\adjustbox{angle=#1,lap=\width-(#2)}\bgroup}% l% <{\egroup}% } \newcommand*\rot{\multicolumn{1}{R{45}{1em}}}% no optional argument here, please! \begin{document} \begin{tabular}{r|ccc} & \rot{Property 1} & \rot{Property 2} & \rot{Property 3} \\ \hline System 1 & & & X \\ System 2 & X & X & X \\ System 3 & X & & X \\ \hline \end{tabular}