LaTeX forum ⇒ Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ Why do people insert @{} in table preamble? Topic is solved

[mado]

It seems to make no difference in visual output. Why do people add @{}?

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Hi mado,

@{code} stands for a command which inserts code between columns, also before the first column and after the last one. So you could insert a \hspace you like, a symbol, or nothing. {} means nothing, as the code is empty. The consequence is, that the default space between columns is removed. This can be desirable, for example to align left and right side of a table with a horizontal separation line.

Take a look:

Code: [Select all] [Expand/Collapse] [Download] (untitled.tex) Open in Overleaf

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Text
\begin{tabular}{ll}
   1 & 2 \\
   3 & 4
\end{tabular}
Text
 
\bigskip
 
Text
\begin{tabular}{@{}l@{}l@{}}
   1 & 2 \\
   3 & 4
\end{tabular}
Text
\end{document}

tabular1.png (4.25 KiB) Viewed 3541 times

Or specifically using it for aligned margin:

Code: [Select all] [Expand/Collapse] [Download] (untitled.tex) Open in Overleaf

\documentclass{article}
\pagestyle{empty}
\begin{document}
\begin{tabular}{lcr}
   One &  Two  & Three \\
   \hline
   yes & maybe & or no
\end{tabular}
 
\bigskip
 
\begin{tabular}{@{}lcr@{}}
   One &  Two  & Three \\
   \hline
   yes & maybe & or no
\end{tabular}
\end{document}

tabular2.png (7.35 KiB) Viewed 3541 times

Stefan

[mado]

Thanks. That clarifies things.