Page 87 Lessons 31-34

Format Guides: Tables

Although you will use a word processing feature to create tables, you will need these guidelines for making your tables attractive and easy to read.

Parts of a Table

A table is an arrangement of data (words and/or numbers) in rows and columns. Columns are labeled alphabetically from left to right; rows are labeled numerically from top to bottom. Tables range in complexity from those with only two columns and a title to those with several columns and special features. The tables in this unit are limited to those with the following parts:

• Main title (bold, ALL CAPS, centered in first row or placed above the gridlines of the table).
• Secondary title (bold, capital and lowercase letters, centered in second row or placed a DS below the main title above the gridlines).
• Column headings (bold, centered over the column).
• Body (data entries).
• Source note (bottom-left in last row or may be placed beneath the gridlines of the table, DS above and below source note).
• Gridlines ( may be hidden)*

Table Format Features

The following features (illustrated on p. 88) can be used to make your table attractive and easy to read.

Vertical placement. A table may be centered vertically (equal top and bottom margins), or it may begin 2" from the top edge of the page.

Horizontal placement. Tables are most attractive when centered horizontally (side to side) on the page.

Column width. Generally, each column should be only slightly wider than the longest data entry in the column. Table columns should be identical widths or marked different widths. Columns that are only slightly different widths should be avoided.

Row height. All rows, including title rows, may be the same height. To enhance appearance, the main title row height may be slightly more than the secondary title row height, which may be more than the column heading row height. The column heading row height may be more than the data entry rows.

Vertical alignment. Within rows, data entries can be aligned at the top, center, or bottom. Most often you will use center vertical alignment for the headings and bottom vertical alignment for data rows beneath the headings. If a source note is included, it should also be bottom-aligned.

Horizontal alignment. Within columns, words may be left-aligned or center-aligned. Whole numbers may be center-aligned or right-aligned. If a column total is shown, numbers should be right-aligned. Decimal numbers are decimal-aligned.