How to prepare tables for submission

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This page is intended to help authors prepare tables according to Journal style. Note that staff may make structural and/or space-saving edits accordingly. Click here to see an example of a copyedited, laid-out table (below). For details on data reporting, go to How to prepare your revised manuscript for submission.

Table preparation

• Text is styled with initial (not headline or full) capitals in regular (black) type.
• Each table
  • is designated by a number (Table 1, Table 2, etc.). — subparts (e.g., Table 3A) are not acceptable;
  • is preceded by a brief descriptive title;
  • fits vertically on a single PDF page.
• Tables are called out in numerical order.
• Each column head applies consistently throughout its column.
• Each stub (row) heading applies only to its row or to a subset of rows; each row has a single stub.
• If a unit of measure applies throughout a row or column, it should be specified in the stub or column head.
• Footnotes are designated by uppercase letters (not numbers) placed in superscript after the relevant text, with no intervening space. They are ordered row by row.
• Colors are not used as indicators in tables, either for text or to highlight cells.
• Cells do not include hard or soft returns or bullet points/numbering. If text within a cell needs to be broken up, use commas or semicolons.
• The table does not include any breaks or unpopulated rows.
• For revised manuscripts, the table is presented in Word format (not pasted as an object from another application).
• In the main text, tables are strictly limited to 50 rows within the body of the table. If a table excedes this limit, you may choose to delete rows; divide the table into 2 or more stand-alone tables (each with its own title, column heads, and any applicable footnotes); or move it to the supplemental material. In some cases, depending on the content of each row, the journal may require that even tables with fewer than 50 rows be revised for size.

Table legends

• Appears as a single paragraph at the end of the table.
• Includes any footnotes in alphabetical order.
• Abbreviations and acronyms introduced in the table are defined.
• Otherwise undefined terms such as “Other” and “Not available” are explained.

Example of a copyedited, laid-out table