Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ Why do people insert @{} in table preamble?

[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

\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 12051 times

Or specifically using it for aligned margin:

Code: Select all

\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 12051 times

Stefan

[mado]

Thanks. That clarifies things.