Presentation tables within bulletins and articles can be used to present data only.

Tables should:

• display important information first
• have column headings that are clearly visible
• have consistent decimal rounding
• have abbreviations written out in full or be clearly explained in the footnotes
• align numbers to the right, and text to the left
• follow a logical order, for example, alphabetical

Tables should not:

• include only lists or paragraphs of text
• have blank rows or columns
• use bold or italic formatting

Narrow tables with fewer columns and rows provide a better user experience. Users can easily view the data without scrolling, which is important with an increasing number of users accessing our website on mobile and tablet devices. As a guide, three to four columns and ten single-line or five double-line rows can fit onto an average smartphone screen. The maximum number of columns that can be created with our in-house table builder is nine.

Using a dataset instead of a table

Large tables containing a lot of data with multiple columns and rows can be difficult for users to understand. They may be better presented as a dataset.

A dataset page provides users with a downloadable excel spreadsheet containing the data, as well as any supporting usage notes or information.

Using text instead of a table

Do not use tables that only include text. They do not meet accessibility regulations and can be difficult for users to read and navigate.

Instead, consider whether the information can be better presented in the main text as a bulleted list or split into structured headings and subheadings. This may be longer, but it is more accessible for screen readers and easier to read on mobile devices.

This example shows how to turn a text table into text.

Formatted in a table:

Term	Definition
Value (amount spent)	The value estimates reflect the total turnover that businesses have collected over a standard period.
Volume (quantity bought)	The volume estimates are calculated by taking the value estimates and adjusting to remove the impact of price changes.
Non-store retailing	Non-store retailing refers to retailers that do not have a store presence. While the majority is made up of online retailers, it also includes other retailers such as stalls and markets.

Written as text:

Value (amount spent)

The value estimates reflect the total turnover that businesses have collected over a standard period.

Volume (quantity bought)

The volume estimates are calculated by taking the value estimates and adjusting to remove the impact of price changes.

Non-store retailing

Non-store retailing refers to retailers that do not have a store presence. While the majority is made up of online retailers, it also includes other retailers such as stalls and markets.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) guidance on tables contains more information on how to make usable tables. 

For advice on turning text tables into text, please contact the Content Design team on content.design@ons.gov.uk