Use tables to present large amounts of detailed information that you
can structure uniformly. If a paragraph becomes cumbersome and repetitive,
consider using a table instead. You can use the following types of table:
- Formal table
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A formal table is numbered and has a caption. A formal table
usually appears in the table of contents of a manual.
- Informal table
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An informal table is not numbered, and does not have a
caption. An informal table does not usually appear in the table of contents of
a manual.
Use the following guidelines to create and write the content of
tables:
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Use a complete sentence to introduce the table. Ensure that
the introductory sentence puts the table information into context.
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Do not insert a table between the beginning and end of the
same sentence.
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Write column headings that summarize the information in the
column.
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Use title capitalization rules for column headings and avoid
end punctuation except where a question mark or ellipsis is required by the
text.
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Avoid starting a column heading with an article. For example,
use "Rule Name" instead of "The Rule Name".
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Use parallel verb tenses, grammatical construction, voice, and
punctuation to write the text content of each table column.
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Keep column text brief. Remove superfluous words such as
articles and repetitive phrases in the column heading.
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Use a formal table when you want to refer to the table from
other sections of the document.
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Use a formal table when you want the table to appear in the
table of contents.
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Assign an appropriate table caption to a formal table that
matches the style of other captions and section headings. Use title
capitalization rules for table captions. Position the caption above the
graphic.
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Use an informal table when you do not want to refer to the
table from other sections of the document.
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Use an informal table when you do not want the table to
appear in the table of contents.
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Use an informal table to structure information that occurs
in text blocks, such as lists of values.