Re: Table layout - Which way is best?

[Mike Starr <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com>]

I use a similar approach for callouts. I use vector-based numbers (white 
numbers in orange circles) that get laid over the illustration (they're 
separate from the illustration, the illustration isn't modified).

Then, below the illustration I place the same vector-based numbers in 
one column and the description of the feature in the next column. Then 
when all of the callouts are identified, I'll usually take that 
two-column table and divide it into either a four-column table or a 
six-column table with the numbers sorted numerically in the first 
column, an equal amount of numbers sorted numerically in the third 
column, and (if necessary) an equal amount of numbers sorted numerically 
in the fifth column. I do this to reduce the amount of vertical space 
the callout identification consumes. So column 1 might contain the 
numbers 1, 2, and 3, with the appropriate identifiers in column 2, 
column 3 might contain the numbers 4, 5, and 6, with the appropriate 
identifiers in column 4, and finally column 5 might contain the numbers 
7, 8, and 9, with the appropriate identifiers in column 6. Murphy's law 
seems to dictate that I'll always end up with the number of callouts 
being a prime number so I can't make my columns balance.

I don't use an autonumbered style for a couple reasons...

 * I want the numbers in the table to look exactly the same as the
   numbers associated with the illustration.
 * I don't want the possibility of the numbering getting hosed.

I also use tables because sometimes the description can be lengthy and 
if they are, it's difficult to create styled side-by-side paragraphs. I 
can always make it look professional with a minimum amount of effort.

Best Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Starr, Writer
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On 5/11/2015 9:40 PM, Gene Kim-Eng wrote: