Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ Adding the word "Table" to each entry in the List of Tables

[jrrrudy]

I have written my thesis using Latex. My department provides a .cls file that supposedly sets all the correct defaults in terms of formatting. In reality, the format is almost correct. Specifically, my List of Tables needs to include the word "Table" in front of the table number for each entry, something like:

Table 1.1 Some important data...........................3
Table 2.1 Some frivolous ideas............................6

Currently it outputs something like:

1.1 Some important data...........................3
2.1 Some frivolous ideas............................6


and similarly for the List of Figures. I have done some extensive searching on the topic, and while the issue has been solved satisfactorily for others, none of those solutions meets my needs. I will now briefly recount what I have found.

Solution 1: Only tables appear in the List of Tables. Therefore, there is no reason to explicitly state that each entry is a table, and I should just not do it.
Issue 1: While I largely agree, in this case I have no choice in the matter. My thesis will not be approved, and I will not graduate, until the word "Table" appears before the table number for every table in my List of Tables, and similarly for figures.

Solution 2: Use the tocloft package, along with the command:
\renewcommand{\cfttabpresnum}{Table }
Issue 2: This solution does what it is supposed to. The problem I encounter here is that as soon as I include the tocloft package, all the correct formatting provided by the .cls file is overridden by the tocloft package defaults. So, although the word "Table" appears before the table number for every table in my List of Tables, my document is now in violation of an unknown number of other formatting rules. As it costs me $20 each time my thesis is checked by the reviewer, attempting to change everything back myself using the tocloft commands is not a preferred option (although I will attempt it if I can't find a better solution).

Solution 3: Redefine the \thetable command so that the word "Table" is printed.
\renewcommand{\thetable}{\addtocounter{table}{1}Table \arabic{table}}
Issue 3: There are several problems. Firstly, space is not made for the word "Table" in the List of Tables, so the table number overlaps with the description. Secondly, every table reference throughout the document must be changed to accomodate the extra "Table." Thirdly, I need the tables to be numbered within each chapter. I believe the first and third issues can be solved through some clever commands, although I am not yet sure what those would be. The second is more troublesome, as, again, if I miss something I am out $20.

Given all this, I have one basic question: does anybody know a better solution? I am interested in both new solutions and potential fixes for the issues I have described above.

[localghost]

Search the forum for the tocloft package to obtain solutions to that problem. There is no guarantee that the package will work properly with your document class.


Thorsten