Guidelines for Tables, Figures, and Infographics in NRDC Publications
February 10, 2018
Visualizations are powerful tools to enhance NRDC’s publications. Good ones can make or break your
argument. Well‐designed tables and figures can present complex information efficiently and attract and
sustain reader interest. In contrast, poorly designed tables or ill‐chosen graphs may fail to convey the
intended information, confuse readers, and undermine your results, recommendations and advocacy
arguments.
What’s the Difference Between Tables and Figures?
Tables present lists of numbers or text in columns. They can be used to synthesize existing literature,
explain content or variables, present the wording of survey questions, or present numeric data. They
improve readability by moving lists of information or numeric data out of the text and into an easy‐to‐
read, structured format. Tables are generally not used to show a relationship between variables.
Figures are visual presentations of numeric data, analytical results, or other information. They include
graphs, charts, diagrams, drawings, photos, or maps. Figures provide visual impact and, if properly
designed, they can effectively communicate large amounts of information. Figures are usually used to
show trends and patterns of relationships, but they can also be used to communicate processes or
display complicated data simply. Figures should not duplicate the same information found in tables and
vice versa.
There are Many Different Kinds of Figures
The type of figure that you choose depends on the type and content of your data and the information or
finding that you intend to convey (Figure 1).
Graphs
Pie Charts
Maps
Diagrams
Figure 1. Examples of some of the different types of figures used in NRDC reports.
A note on graphs: Every graph is a figure but not every figure is a graph. Graphs are figures that display
quantitative relationships between variables. Some of the most common graphs include bar charts,
frequency histograms, scatter plots, and line graphs, each of which displays trends or relationships
within and among datasets in a different way. It is important to carefully choose the best type of graph
for your data and the relationship that you want to show.
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For more information and assistance for selecting the right type of graph or other figure, we
recommend several references and other resources at the end of this guide; you can also contact the
Science Center for advice and guidance on best practices for data visualization.
A note on infographics: Infographics, by NRDC’s definition, are very different from tables and figures.
For one thing, they do not introduce new information that is not explored in the text. Rather, they act as
beautified pull quotes. These are usually conceived post‐Science Center review in collaboration with the
Publications team. Authors will work with Publications to isolate the most salient data points and create
a story around them. Figure 2 shows some examples.
Figure 2. Examples of infographics from NRDC publications.
When Should You Use a Table, Figure or Text?
Your choice of presentation type depends on the information you want to present. Not all analyses or
results warrant a table or a figure. In general, if you can present your results or information clearly in a
sentence or two, then a table or figure is probably unnecessary. If your data are too numerous or
complicated to be described adequately in this amount of space, figures and tables can be effective
ways of conveying lots of information without cluttering up your text. Table 1 provides guidance for
when to use a table, figure or text.
Table 1. Guidance for when to use a table, figure or text in NRDC publications.a
Use a Table
Use a Figure
Use text
To show many or precise numerical
values or other specific data or
information in a small space
To compare and contrast data values
or characteristics among related items,
or items with several shared
characteristics or variables
To show presence or absence of
specific characteristics
a
To show trends, patterns and relationships
across and between data sets or variables
when the general pattern is more important
than exact data values (use a graph)
To summarize research results (use a graph,
map, or diagram)
When you don’t have extensive or
complicated data to present
To present a visual representation of a
sequence of events, procedures, geographic
features or physical characteristics (use a
diagram, timeline or map)
When data that you are presenting are
peripheral to the study or main study
findings
When putting your data in a table
would mean creating a table with 2 or
fewer columns
Adapted from Rodrigues, V. 2013. See References for full citation and URL.
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General Guidelines for Tables and Figures
1. Tables and figures should be able to “stand alone.” They should be sufficiently clear, well‐labeled
and described by the title, legend, and caption to be understandable by your intended audience without
reading the text.
2. Refer, but don’t repeat. Use the text to draw the reader’s attention to the significance and key points
of the table/figure, but don’t repeat the details.
3. Be consistent. Make sure that values or details, such as variables, units of measure, abbreviations and
group names, shown in the table/figure match those in the text.
4. Use clear, informative titles. Table and figure titles, legends and captions should concisely describe
the purpose and contents of the table/figure and, ideally, draw the reader’s attention to what you want
them to notice. Also ensure that column heads, axis labels, and figure and symbol legends are clearly
and appropriately labelled.
5. Keep it simple. Don’t try to cram too much information into single tables or figures.
6. Organize your graphics so they tell a story. Choose and design your figures to help the reader
understand the significance of the data. For a table, think about what you want your reader to compare,
and put that information in the column rather than in the row. For a figure, think about what is the main
point you want your reader to see (e.g., pattern, relationship or detail).
7. Acknowledge sources. When using data from, reprinting, or redrawing tables/figures from other
sources, acknowledge and reference the source in the title, caption, or a footnote. You may need to get
permission to reprint tables or figures that have been published elsewhere.
Style Guide for Tables and Figures in NRDC Publications
1. All tables and figures should be numbered, labeled and referenced as Table x or Figure x.
2. All tables and figures should be referenced by number at least once in the text. Examples: “Figure 4
shows the decline in the percentage of U.S. electricity generation from coal compared to natural gas.”
Or “The percentage of electricity generation from coal has declined compared to that from natural gas
(Figure 4).”
3. All tables and figures should have a concise, clear, descriptive title or caption. Tables are labeled with
a title above the table. Figures can be labeled with a title above or a caption below, but generally not
both (particularly if they are duplicative). Avoid using acronyms in titles and captions.
4. Table column headings should be clearly labeled and, for numeric content, include information on the
units of measure. Example column heading: “Carbon emissions per area (tons CO2/ha)”
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5. In tables, left justify text entries and right justify numeric entries. For numeric entries, use consistent
significant digits (i.e., number of decimal places) and make sure the decimal points line up. Do not
include units of measure in individual table cells; this information should appear in the column heading
and refer to all entries within that column.
6. If the data you want to present in a table are extensive and would make the table too cluttered or
long (e.g., more than 8 to 10 rows or 5 columns), present the table in an Appendix or supplemental
material section.
7. Graph axes should be clearly labeled with the variable name and unit of measure. Example exception:
For graphs of trends over time, an X axis that shows the years (e.g., 2000, 2001, 2002, etc.) does not
need to be additionally labeled as “Year.”
8. Graphs with more than one plot (e.g., two different lines in a line graph) should have a legend
identifying the different plots by symbol, line or fill color. For an example, see the electricity generation
bar graph in Figure 1 of this guide.
9. Graphs should be two‐dimensional, not three‐dimensional. Simple is better than cluttered or fancy.
10. For all types of figures, give specifics. Include scale bars in images and maps; specify units wherever
quantities are listed; include legends in maps and schematics; and provide legends to explain line, fill
and symbol colors and patterns.
11. Ensure that all parts of the figure images and text are clear and legible. Use a standard sans serif font
and check that labels are legible against the figure background (e.g., do not use red text on a green
background).
12. As needed, use lower case letter footnotes to clarify points on the table or figure, identify data
sources, or provide other supplemental information. These footnotes should appear at the bottom of
the table or figure, not at the bottom of the page or at end of the report with the endnotes.
References and Other Resources
Darkhorse Analytics. 2014. Data Looks Better Naked: Data Tables. Available at:
https://www.darkhorseanalytics.com/portfolio/2016/1/7/data‐looks‐better‐naked‐clear‐off‐the‐
table?rq=tables
Hubspot. 2017a. An Introduction to Data Visualization: How to Design Compelling Charts and Graphs
That Are Easy to Understand. Available at: https://offers.hubspot.com/data‐visualization‐guide
Hubspot. 2017b. Data Visualization 101: How to Choose the Right Chart or Graph for Your Data.
Available at: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/data‐visualization‐choosing‐chart
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Rodrigues, V. 2013. Tips on effective use of tables and figures in research papers. Available at:
https://www.editage.com/insights/tips‐on‐effective‐use‐of‐tables‐and‐figures‐in‐research‐papers
The Writing Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2017. Figures and Charts. Available at:
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/figures‐and‐charts/
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