Forum:CT:Codifying tables

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The result of the debate was support proposed changes. OOM 224 11:17, 1 June 2022 (UTC)

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Codifying tables

Hey everyone, this CT is about adding general rules for tables in the Layout Guide, as discussed in this SH thread.

To recap, there are certain types of articles that can have tables, namely published narrative works and real-world person articles. There is also occasional discussion that arises in expanding the use of tables to other article types.

However, there is no guideline on how to add tables and their use. This CT is aimed at adding a section to the Layout Guide to introduce/standardize rules for tables to ensure consistency across our mainspace articles (tables on userpages won't be affected). Any specific-use guidelines would be captured on the respective IU/OOU LG where needed.

Three changes are proposed for this:

Adding tables

This new subsection will be titled "Tables" and positioned between the existing "Images' and "Stubs" subsections. Proposed wording is as follows:
3.4 Tables
Example of a basic table:

{|{{Prettytable}}
! Header 1 !! Header 2 !! Header 3 !! Header 4
|-
| Cell 1 || Cell 2 || Cell 3 || Cell 4
|-
| Cell 5 || Cell 6 || Cell 7 || Cell 8
|} 

Which displays as:

Header 1	Header 2	Header 3	Header 4
Cell 1	Cell 2	Cell 3	Cell 4
Cell 5	Cell 6	Cell 7	Cell 8

Example of a more complex table:

{|{{Prettytable}}
! Header 1 !! Header 2 !! Header 3 !! Header 4
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | Cell 1 || Cell 2 || rowspan="2" | Cell 3
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" align="center" | Cell 4 || Cell 5
|-
|Cell 6 || Cell 7
|} 

Which displays as:

Header 1	Header 2	Header 3	Header 4
Cell 1		Cell 2	Cell 3
Cell 4		Cell 5
		Cell 6	Cell 7

• Some articles may require the use of tables to display information in an easy-to-read or sortable format, where specified for that article type (refer to LG:IU or WP:OOU).
• Basic tables can use the above coding, adding additional columns/rows where needed. Some tables may use additional parameters/features such as background colors and cells taking multiple rows or columns.

Linking tables

This will add a rule to MOS#General Rules and aligns with current practice:

• A subject should be linked once upon its first mention in
  • The article infobox
  • The article introduction
  • The article body
  • A table in the article body
  • Each individual reference

Sourcing tables

This will update rule 6 to Sourcing#Rules and aligns with current practice. This also makes clear that, at a minimum, each paragraph is to be referenced:
6) Reference articles as sparingly as possible, while still sourcing all of the facts. At a minimum, each paragraph and table row must be referenced. A cell that spans multiple rows references the information in the preceding cells of those rows.

Support

1. Manoof (he/him/his) (talk) 13:08, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
2. 01miki10 ^{Open comlink} 13:22, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
3. Imperators II^(Talk) 13:31, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
4. OOM 224 13:35, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
5. Green Tentacle ^(Talk) 13:38, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
6. Always good to add a foundation. --Vitus Infinitus^Talk 13:56, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
7. NanoLuuke^{Cloning facility} 13:59, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
8. I will never understand wiki tables. JediMasterMacaroni^(Talk) 14:42, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
9. The linking and sourcing rules will be a fine supplement for my pilot lists proposal. Braha'tok enthusiast ^{Hello there} 14:56, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
10. LucaRoR ^(Talk) 14:59, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
11. Per JediMasterMacaroni — Samonic 18:30, 24 May 2022 (UTC)
12. Rsand 30 (talk) 00:26, 25 May 2022 (UTC)
13. I sort of understand tables. A bit. SilverSunbird (talk) 00:29, 25 May 2022 (UTC)
14. 1358 ^(Talk) 22:48, 29 May 2022 (UTC)
15. KingWookiee (talk) 07:48, 31 May 2022 (UTC)
16. Corellian Premier^MTFBWY 20:38, 31 May 2022 (UTC)

Oppose

Discussion