Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ Excel-like tables of experimental data

[Cham]

I'm not used with tables in LaTeX. Because of my work place, I usually use Excel.
However, I would like to define in LaTeX a typical table as made with Excel. The only basic example I made is this one, which is compiling fine, but have several issues :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[10pt,twoside]{revtex4}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{microtype}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
\sisetup{output-decimal-marker = {,}}

\begin{document}

\section*{A table of results}

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
	\hline
	\multicolumn{3}{|c|}{Tableau 1.  Le titre du tableau} \\
	\hline
	$M$ & $L$ & $\rho$ \\ \hline
	$\SI{}{\g}$ & $\SI{}{\cm}$ & $\SI{}{\kg/\m^3}$ \\ \hline
	0,2 & 0,5 & – \\ \hline\hline
	24,7 & 15,3 & 7,89 \\ \hline
 	45,2 & 24,0 & 9,65 \\ \hline
 	49,9 & 28,7 & 6,90 \\ \hline
 	51,6 & 27,9 & 7,05 \\ \hline
	68,1 & 12,6 & 7,46 \\ \hline
	72,0 & 16,8 & 6,45 \\ \hline
	79,5 & 18,0 & 8,93 \\ \hline
	83,2 & 22,1 & 7,12 \\ \hline
	88,0 & 34,0 & 7,09 \\ \hline
	94,6 & 44,7 & 8,40 \\ \hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\end{document}

Here's a preview :

table.jpg (27.51 KiB) Viewed 9752 times

I don't like this output.

1. The three columns should have an equal horizontal size under the title.
2. The vertical space is too small on each line (see especially the units).
3. The division between the head and the data should not be a gap, but a double line, closed at the ends, like what we could do with Excel.
4. I would like to add a small closed legend under the table, moved to the left of the main table, to add some comments about $M$, $L$ and $\rho$.

So how should I do these things ?

[Johannes_B]

That can be done, but the result is pretty ugly.

I added an alternative, which is a bit more simple, avoiding the disturbing grid. Are you numbering your tables by hand? That way, you don't have the advantage of referencing.

Code: Select all

\documentclass[10pt,twoside]{revtex4}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{microtype}
\usepackage{hhline}
\usepackage{booktabs}
\usepackage{caption}
\captionsetup[table]{position=above}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
\sisetup{output-decimal-marker = {,}}

\begin{document}

\section*{A table of results}

\begin{center}
	\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
	\begin{tabular}{|S|S|S|}
		\hline
		\multicolumn{3}{|c|}{Tableau 1.  Le titre du tableau} \\
		\hline
		\multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$M$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$L$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\rho$} \\ \hline
		\si{\g} & \si{\cm} & \si{\kg/\m^3} \\ \hline
		0,2  & 0,5  & – \\ \hhline{|=|=|=|}
		24,7 & 15,3 & 7,89 \\ \hline
		45,2 & 24,0 & 9,65 \\ \hline
		49,9 & 28,7 & 6,90 \\ \hline
		51,6 & 27,9 & 7,05 \\ \hline
		68,1 & 12,6 & 7,46 \\ \hline
		72,0 & 16,8 & 6,45 \\ \hline
		79,5 & 18,0 & 8,93 \\ \hline
		83,2 & 22,1 & 7,12 \\ \hline
		88,0 & 34,0 & 7,09 \\ \hline
		94,6 & 44,7 & 8,40 \\ \hline
	\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\begin{flushleft}
$M$ is the mass\par
$L$ i the length\par
$\rho$ is the density
\end{flushleft}

\begin{table}
	\centering
		\caption{ Le titre du tableau} 
	\begin{tabular}{SSS}
		\toprule
		$M$  & $L$  & $\rho$\\
		\si{\gram} & \si{\centi\meter} & \sisetup{per-mode=symbol}\si{\kilo\gram\per\cubic\meter} \\ 
		0,2  & 0,5  & – \\
		\midrule
		24,7 & 15,3 & 7,89 \\
		45,2 & 24,0 & 9,65 \\
		49,9 & 28,7 & 6,90 \\
		51,6 & 27,9 & 7,05 \\
		68,1 & 12,6 & 7,46 \\
		72,0 & 16,8 & 6,45 \\
		79,5 & 18,0 & 8,93 \\
		83,2 & 22,1 & 7,12 \\
		88,0 & 34,0 & 7,09 \\
		94,6 & 44,7 & 8,40 \\
		\bottomrule
	\end{tabular}

	\raggedright
$M$ is the mass\par
$L$ is the length\par
$\rho$ is the density
\end{table}

\end{document}

[cgnieder]

A bit off-topic but do you really need/want that layout? excel mostly is a program for doing calculations with tabulated data. There framed cells do make sense. The excel layout isn't really meant for print (which is probably one of the reasons why IIRC you have to actively add frames if you want them in the print version of an excel table).

For tables in documents the question of layout is completely different. Mostly people actually try to avoid horizontal lines as they don't add to readability very much. Vertical often even are distracting since the data usually are arranged in rows rather than columns and hence the tables are read in rows rather than columns…

Best

[Cham]

Johannes_B, thanks a lot. I'll study your solution.

cgnieder, it is not exactly off-topic. I may have a lot to say about this. Firstly, I don't think that this Excel-like table is ugly. I think that on the contrary it is pretty. Of course, this is just a matter of personal taste.

Secondly, in some work places, we don't have much choice because of some standard procedures and conventions. Where I work, Excel is defining a standard of presentation, even if we don't like it. So I don't have a choice here.

Thirdly, I do prefer the LaTeX presentation style for some kind of data. For example, this table below :

table2.jpg (64.87 KiB) Viewed 9716 times

This data would be horrible in an Excel style.

Then, I think that the table style depends of the type of data.

[Cham]

Johannes_B,

what I meant for the legend, is a small table inside a frame with title ("Legend"), that should be just under the main table, with the left side aligned. How would you modify your code above to add this feature ?

Also, the numbers aren't exacly centered into their columns. They seem to be aligned with the comma.

[Cham]

I now have 3 problems with this table :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[10pt,twoside]{revtex4}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{microtype}
\usepackage{hhline}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
\sisetup{output-decimal-marker = {,}}

\begin{document}

\section*{A table of results}

\begin{center}
        \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
        \begin{tabular}{|S|S|S|S|}
                \hline
                \multicolumn{4}{|c|}{Tableau 1.  Le titre du tableau} \\ \hline
                \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$m$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$\ell$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$\rho$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\Delta\rho$} \\ \hline
                \si{\g} & \si{\cm} & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\kg/\m^3}} \\ \hline
                0,2  & 0,5  & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–} \\ \hhline{|=|=|==|}
                24,7 & 15,3 & 7,89 & 0,03 \\ \hline
                45,2 & 24,0 & 9,65 & 0,04 \\ \hline
                49,9 & 28,7 & 6,90 & 0,01 \\ \hline
                51,6 & 27,9 & 7,05 & 0,07 \\ \hline
                68,1 & 12,6 & 7,46 & 0,08 \\ \hline
                72,0 & 16,8 & 6,45 & 0,02 \\ \hline
                79,5 & 18,0 & 8,93 & 0,05 \\ \hline
                83,2 & 22,1 & 7,12 & 0,03 \\ \hline
                88,0 & 34,0 & 7,09 & 0,02 \\ \hline
                94,6 & 44,7 & 8,40 & 0,04 \\ \hline
        \end{tabular}
\end{center}

\end{document}

1. The vertical lines aren't properly aligned. Something is wrong in the code above.
2. Everything should be centered inside their columns. Currently, there is a bit more space on one side than the other side, in the numbers columns. How to fix that ?
3. I need to add a legend below the table, as a small table with a frame and a title. That small table should be left-aligned with the main table.

table3.jpg (45.02 KiB) Viewed 9715 times

[Cham]

I have solved the centering problem of the numbers. But I still have the vertical lines not properly aligned, and a missing legend under the main table.

Also, the three instrument names should be flushed to the left in their column, and I need to remove the "a" cells, and vertically center the mass in this example :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[10pt,twoside]{revtex4}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{microtype}
\usepackage{hhline}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
\sisetup{output-decimal-marker = {,}}

\begin{document}

\section*{A table of results}

\begin{center}
	\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
	\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
		\hline
		\multicolumn{6}{|c|}{Tableau 2.  Caractéristiques physiques d'un petit cylindre de métal} \\ \hline
		\multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{Instrument} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$d$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$\Delta d$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$\ell$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}}{$\Delta\ell$} & \multicolumn{1}{|>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$m$} \\ \hline
		– & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\mm}} & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\mm}} & \si{\g} \\ \hline
		–  & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–}  & \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–} & 0,1 \\ \hhline{|=|==|==|=|}
		\text{Règle} & 15 & 1 & 22 & 1 & 49,3 \\ \hline
		\text{Pied à coulisse} & 15,4 & 0,1 & 22,6 & 0,1 & a \\ \hline
		\text{Palmer} & 15,42 & 0,03 & 22,57 & 0,02 & a \\ \hline
	\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\end{document}

Preview :

table4.jpg (40.71 KiB) Viewed 9714 times

This table would be a bit better looking, I think :

table5.jpg (40.79 KiB) Viewed 9713 times

[Cham]

Ah ! This table is almost perfect !

There is still a glitch, however, and I need help on this :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[10pt,twoside]{revtex4}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{microtype}
%\usepackage{hhline}
\usepackage{multirow}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
\sisetup{output-decimal-marker = {,}}

\begin{document}

\section*{A table of results}

\begin{center}
	\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
	\begin{tabular}{l|c|c|c|c|c|}
	\cline{2-6}
		& \multicolumn{5}{c|}{Tableau 2.  Caractéristiques physiques d'un petit cylindre de métal}                                             \\ \cline{2-6} 
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$d$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\Delta d$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\ell$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\Delta\ell$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$m$}
		\\ \cline{2-6} 
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\mm}}
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\mm}}
		& \si{\g}
		\\ \cline{2-6} 
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–}
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–}
		& 0,1
		\\ \hline\hline
	\multicolumn{1}{|l|}{Règle} & 15 & 1 & 22 & 1 & \multirow{3}{*}{49,3} \\ \cline{1-5}
	\multicolumn{1}{|l|}{Pied à coulisse} & 15,4 & 0,1 & 22,6 & 0,1 & \\ \cline{1-5}
	\multicolumn{1}{|l|}{Palmer} & 15,42 & 0,03 & 22,57 & 0,02 & \\ \hline
	\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\end{document}

Preview :

table6.jpg (33.08 KiB) Viewed 9710 times

The double line shouldn't start at the left. It should start one coloumn to the right instead.

Also, I need to add a legend (with a frame and a title) under the main table, to the left.
I don't know how to do this.

Please help ! I'm almost there !

[Cham]

I got the legend. But I need to know if this is the proper way of doing it.

I also need to fix that double-line (please HELP ! This one appears to be hard) :

Code: Select all

\documentclass[10pt,twoside]{revtex4}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage{microtype}
%\usepackage{hhline}
\usepackage{multirow}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[separate-uncertainty=true]{siunitx}
\sisetup{output-decimal-marker = {,}}

\begin{document}

\section*{A table of results}

\begin{align*}
&
	\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
	\begin{tabular}{l|c|c|c|c|c|}
	\cline{2-6}
		& \multicolumn{5}{c|}{Tableau 2.  Caractéristiques physiques d'un petit cylindre de métal}                                             \\ \cline{2-6}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$d$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\Delta d$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\ell$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$\Delta\ell$}
		& \multicolumn{1}{>{\centering}p{6em}|}{$m$}
		\\ \cline{2-6}
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\mm}}
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\si{\mm}}
		& \si{\g}
		\\ \cline{2-6}
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–}
		& \multicolumn{2}{c|}{–}
		& 0,1
		\\ \hline\hline
	\multicolumn{1}{|l|}{Règle} & 15 & 1 & 22 & 1 & \multirow{3}{*}{49,3} \\ \cline{1-5}
	\multicolumn{1}{|l|}{Pied à coulisse} & 15,4 & 0,1 & 22,6 & 0,1 & \\ \cline{1-5}
	\multicolumn{1}{|l|}{Palmer} & 15,42 & 0,03 & 22,57 & 0,02 & \\ \hline
	\end{tabular} \\[10pt]
&
	\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
	\begin{tabular}{|l|}
	\hline
	\multicolumn{1}{|c|}{Légende} \\ \hline
	$d$ est le diamètre du cylindre. \\
	$\ell$ est la longueur du cylindre. \\
	$m$ est la masse du cylindre, selon la balance à fléaux. \\ \hline
	\end{tabular}
\end{align*}

\end{document}

Preview :

table7.jpg (39.92 KiB) Viewed 9702 times

[Johannes_B]

The amount of posts getting to the solution and your urgent request for help tells me one thing: You are terribly stuck. Look at my signature, keep calm, take a break, drink a cup of tea or coffee. When the mind thinks that stuff is complicated, it is harder to find a solution.

Package hhline gives you all you need.
\hhline{b-=====}

Is there a reason for using the align environment? Better put that whole thing into a minipage.