Rules Regarding the Table Structure
a.Table Number: When a number of tables are constructed serial number of the tables should be given to each table.
b.Title The title of the table should be clear and precise indicating what where and when of the data in that order.
c.Number of Rows and Column The number of rows and column depends on the nature of the data. Description of rows columns sub rows should be well defined. Columns row should be numbered when it desired to facilities reference to specific part of a table.
d.Caption and Stubs The headings of various columns and rows ( often called captions and stubs respectively) should not consist of more lines or words than the bare minimum required.
e.Ruling and Spacing Horizontal and vertical lines should be drawn to spear adjacent rows and columns. Different colors or lines of differed dimensions ( i .e. light heavy etc) should be used to differentiate sub rows columns from the main rows and main column.
f.Size of Columns The size ( breadth ) of the column should be according to the information to be written in those column.
g.Arrangement of Items The placement of items in the rows or columns should be if possible in natural order or according to their importance.
h.Units and Derivatives The unit of measurement used should be clearly stead such as prices in rupees population in corer etc.
i. Explanatory Notes To make certain points clear the explanatory notes ( foot notes or head notes) should be incorporated directly in body of the table or under or above the table. If the information gain in the table is not self explanatory sufficient information should be given as foot notes.
j. Sources The sources of information must be mentioned just below the table particularly in case of secondary data. Such notes give:
- The name of the person institution.
- Place and other details and
- An idea about their reliability
k.Totals The sub totals for each separate classification and a general total for all combined classes should be given at the bottom and or right side of the figures whose totals are taken.