Journals Library

Tables and figures

There should be no more than a combined total of 50 tables or figures in the main body of the report. If there are more than 50 tables or figures that are relevant to the report, then these can be added to the appendices.

Tables

Please do not try to summarise too much data in one table. More explanatory text and concise tables will be easier for the reader to follow. Please ensure that all tables follow the guidance below:

  • Number tables consecutively starting from the main text after the abstract (or Chapter 1 in TAR and PGfAR reports)
  • Use whole numbers and not letters for example, 2a, 2b, 2c
  • Follow the numbering of tables from the main body of the paper through the appendices and add in-text references in the main body of the paper (after the abstract through to the references)
  • When referencing tables located in the appendices please use both the appendix number and table number for example, See appendix 2, table 26
  • All tables should have a textual reference within the main body of the paper, and as close as possible to the table it is referring to
  • All tables must be supplied in an editable format with the manuscript, not as embedded figures
  • Tables should be a concise as possible as they will be reproduced on A4 pages. If the material is complex, tables may need to run across a double page spread or over many pages and this can, in some cases, lead to a reduction in impact
  • If a set of table heads cannot be applied to an entire table, it would be preferable to split the table into a number of smaller tables for clarity
  • Where information is to align across a table, it is essential for each item to be supplied in its own individual cell
  • Tables should be accompanied by a brief caption. Use footnotes to the table to explain all non-standard abbreviations that have not already been defined in the paper. Use superscript letters (a, b, c, etc.) to identify each footnote
  • Do not duplicate data in tables and figures

Figures

Please ensure all figures follow the guidance below:

  • Are numbered consecutively (not by chapter or appendix)
  • Use whole numbers and not letters (for example 2a, 2b, 2c)
  • Follow the numbering of figures from the main text after the abstract, through the appendices, and add in-text references in the main body of the paper (after the abstract through to the references)
  • When referencing figures located in the appendices please use both the appendix number and figure number for example, See appendix 2, figure 26
  • All figures should have a textual reference within the main body of the paper, and as close as possible to the figure it is referring to
  • Be legible at A4 landscape size, including a margin. This is the maximum size that a figure (or figure part) can be set at
  • Be provided with a caption below the figure. All illustrations will be redrawn
  • Use white, black of horizontal/ vertical/ diagonal hatching to differentiate parts of a diagram, rather than grey shading or dots. A key defining these and any symbols used should be included within the diagram itself
  • Be included in the main body of the paper
  • Not be included in the abstract or scientific summary