Information design

Member lesson

Tables, and why most of them are unreadable

Lesson 9 of 12 in Information design.

Lesson

A table is a chart you read exact values from, and almost all of the craft is alignment. Numbers align right, on the decimal, in a face with tabular figures, so the columns form a shape you can scan.

An ink drawing of two printed tables on a desk, one boxed in heavy borders and stripes, the other open with space between rows and neatly right-aligned columns.
Taking the borders off a table so the data comes forward.
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Members answer these 3 questions and keep the ticket for this lesson. Every lesson has one.

  1. Question 1, locked

    Which of these words means this? “Numerals of equal width, so columns of digits line up.”

    • Decimal alignment
    • Tabular figures
    • Dual axis
    • Framing
  2. Question 2, locked

    Which of these words means this? “Aligning on the point rather than on the edge. Makes magnitude visible.”

    • Colour vision deficiency
    • Encoding
    • Progressive disclosure
    • Decimal alignment
  3. Question 3, locked

    Which of these words means this? “Alternating row shading. Usually a substitute for adequate row spacing.”

    • Encoding accuracy
    • Zebra striping
    • Metric creep
    • Equal area

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