APA tables and figures: format, title and note
Quick answer
In APA 7, each table or figure has a bold number, an italic title on the line below, and an optional note underneath. Refer to it in the text by number. Place it after the paragraph that mentions it, or at the end of the paper, depending on your instructor.
What does an APA 7 table look like?
Table 1 (bold)
Participants by Age Group (italic)
Group n %
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18-25 42 35
26-40 51 43
41+ 27 22
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Note. Author's data. n = number of participants.The example is illustrative; the numbers are not from a real study.
What rules do tables follow?
- Horizontal rules only: top, under the column headings and at the bottom.
- A consecutive number (Table 1, Table 2) and a short italic title.
- The same font family as the paper.
- Every table is mentioned in the text by number, such as "as Table 1 shows."
How do figures work?
The same layout: "Figure 1" in bold, an italic title and the image below. The note goes under the figure. Add alt text when you publish online.
How do I credit a table or figure source?
If you adapted data from someone else, start the note with "Note." and say where it came from: "Adapted from Title of Work, by A. Author, year, Publisher." Then add the work to your reference list.
Checklist
- Bold number, italic title
- No vertical lines in tables
- Each table or figure mentioned in the text
- Note with the source when data is not yours
- Source listed in references
Frequently asked questions
How do you format a table in APA?
Put the bold number (Table 1) above the table, the italic title on the next line, use only horizontal rules, and add a note below if the table has sources or abbreviations. Do not use vertical lines.
How do you cite an image in APA?
If the image is yours, the title is enough. If it comes from another source, add a note under the figure with the author and year, and list the full source in your references.
Where do tables and figures go in the paper?
Either in the text, right after the paragraph that mentions them, or at the end of the paper after the references, one per page. Your instructor or school usually decides which placement to use.